A model of Creative and Critical Thinking (Wallas, 1926, Koestler, 1964, Lawson, 1995)

 

Step 1: Puzzling observation or situation.

Step 2: Question or problem

Step 3: Several unsuccessful thought paths are attempted on a specific topic or problem.  Use the learning strategies.

Step 4: Incubation (let the students think and  work alone)

Step 5: Illumination (let the students share their thinking and do)

Step 6: Tentative idea to answer question or solve the problem

Step 7: Planned test or experimentation

Step 8: Expect result: what should happen, what is predicted.

Step 9: Compare and Observe results: what actually happened after test was conducted.

Step 10: Conclusion: the ideas are either supported or contradicted.

Start over if necessary in incubation and repeat the next steps until you find the solution.

1. Promoting Creative and Critical Thinking Skills in Biology.  Bioscene March 2001 Vol 27 (1) p, 13-24.  Anton E. Lawson.