Resources on Higher-Order Thinking Skills

• Anderson, L. W. and D. R. Krathwohl. (2001). A taxonomy for learning, teaching, and assessing: A revision of Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. New York: Longman.
  This revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy is more in line with current knowledge about teaching and learning. The second half of the book is dedicated to the practical application of the revised taxonomy in instruction and assessment.
  
  
• Costa, A. L. (Ed.). (2000). Developing minds: A resource book for teaching thinking. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
  A comprehensive collection of short chapters on dozens of topics related to thinking written by nationally recognized experts in the field. If you can only afford one book on thinking for your school library, this volume is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in improving the thinking of students.
  
  
• Cotton, K. (1991). Teaching thinking skills. Portland, OR: NWREL. www.nwrel.org/scpd/sirs/6/cu11.html*
  Although somewhat dated, this synthesis of research on teaching thinking holds up fairly well over time. It is available free of charge from the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory and would be very useful for individual or faculty professional development.
  
  
• Facione, P. A. (1998). Critical Thinking: What It is and Why it Counts. Santa Clara, CA: OERI. www.insightassessment.com/pdf_files/what&why2006.pdf* (PDF; 22 pages)
  This Executive Summary, called The Delphi Report, presents the consensus on critical thinking by the world’s most important cognitive psychologists.
  
  
• Fennimore, T. F. and M. B. Tinzmann. (1990). What is a thinking curriculum? Oak Brook, IL: NCREL. www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/rpl_esys/thinking.htm*
  This 15-page article explores the concept of critical thinking as it relates to curriculum and classroom practice. It includes examples from both urban and rural schools that address thinking from an interdisciplinary perspective.
  
  
• Marzano, R. J. (2000). Designing a new taxonomy of educational objectives. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
  This book written by one of today’s most respect researchers on education and instructional practices, describes in detail his re-conceptualization of Bloom’s Taxonomy. It describes the theoretical basis for the taxonomy as well as practical applications of how it can be used.
  
  
• Sternberg, R. J. (1999). Handbook of creativity. New York: Cambridge University Press.
  Sternberg has studied intelligence and creativity for many years. This volume includes essays by a variety of topics related to creativity. It can be heavy reading, but it is a comprehensive and reliable resource on the subject.
  
  
• Swartz, R. J. (2000). Towards Developing and Implementing A Thinking Curriculum. Keynote address presented at the 1st Annual Thinking Qualities Initiative Conference, Hong Kong. www.nctt.net/hongkongaddress.html*
  Mr. Swartz is an internationally recognized expert on the topic of critical thinking. This speech offers a practical framework for integrating critical thinking across the curriculum and includes examples from all grade levels and subject areas.
  
  
• Thomas, M. (1998). Higher-Order Thinking Strategies for the Classroom.  Kansas City, MO: Center for Studies in Higher-Order Literacy. http://members.aol.com/MattT10574/HigherOrderLiteracy.htm*
  A summary of practical instructional strategies developed by content-area literacy experts, Anthony and Ula Manzo. The list includes suggestions for reading at deeper levels, sample questions, and study strategies.
  
  
• Wegerif, R. W. (2002). Literature review in thinking skills, technology, and learning. Bristol, England: NESTA Futurelab. www.nestafuturelab.org/research/reviews/reviews_11_and12/12_01.htm*
  A well-written, comprehensive review of research in the area of technology and higher-order thinking. Although rather academic in tone, this article summarizes the important research on the topic.
  
  
• Willis, D. (2005). Critical thinking and the Internet. Ontario, Canada: Wilfrid Laurier University. http://library.wlu.ca/critical/*
  This resource compiled by a university reference librarian is an extensive list of Web sites that can be used with older students to teach them how to think critically about what they find on the Internet. It includes advice on how to evaluate Web sites.