Question 1

Mr. Lee is having trouble helping one of his students master a new math skill. The student, Patrick, is consistently applying the skill learned last week to this new mathematical problem. Mr. Lee understands that Patrick is confident in using this strategy because he mastered it so thoroughly on homework assignments. However, to correctly master the current problem, Patrick must understand which strategy is appropriate to apply in each situation. Which of the following most specifically describes the problem Patrick is experiencing?

Accepted Answer

While Patrick is generally suffering from fixation, his obvious attempts to solve the math problem using a previously learned strategy are clearly best defined through the term "mental set."

Question 2

Don wants to get an early start on his social studies semester project. The teacher has assigned the students to choose and research a societal issue of concern to them. Students must develop a specific concern and hypotheses addressing the reasons behind the problem, and search for scientific research to support their assertions. What type of project is Don working on?

Accepted Answer

Problem-based learning involves students examining and solving real-life problems.

Question 3

Miss Wallace is discussing the issue of classroom management when one of the students, a girl named Rhonda, raises a concern about school violence, saying that she is sometimes afraid to come to school because she has heard other kids talking about bringing weapons to school. While Miss Wallace understands this is a delicate topic, she seeks to calm Rhonda by asking students to discuss ways both students and teachers might help to reduce school violence. Inadvertently, what kind of learning scenario has the class become engaged in?

Accepted Answer

Problem-based learning involves examining and solving real-life problems.

Question 4

The faculty at Westwood Middle School discusses concerns they have about students' ability to engage in effective problem solving. Which of the following suggestions by faculty is not likely to be an effective strategy?

Accepted Answer

Using technology effectively is actually one of the proven strategies to improving student thinking.

Question 5

As Milton proofreads his essay, he comes across the word "receive" and he is not sure he spelled it correctly. Although he is unsure how to solve the problem of spelling at first, he soon remembers the "I before E except after C" rule. Which of the following terms refers to Milton's strategy?

Accepted Answer

Milton has used an algorithm, or a strategy that ensures an accurate solution to the problem.

Question 6

Which of the following is the best example of an "algorithm"?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an algorithm, or a strategy that ensures an accurate solution to the problem.

Question 7

Which of the following is the best example of problem-based learning?

Accepted Answer

Problem-based learning refers to activities where students engage in learning about real-life problems. While choices "b" and "d" can potentially address real-life dilemmas, only choice "c" exclusively requires students to investigate a real-life problem.

Question 8

Inductive reasoning is best described as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning involves reasoning from the specific to the general.

Question 9

Deductive reasoning is best described as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning involves reasoning from the general to the specific.

Question 10

Which of the following strategies would best help students become better problem solvers?

Accepted Answer

By solving real-world problems, such as those of the Jasper Project, students become better thinkers and better problem-solvers.

Question 11

Teachers that successfully guide students' efforts at thinking do all of the following, except which one?

Accepted Answer

By seeking and validating only the "correct" answer, teachers would limit students' tendency to become better thinkers.

Question 12

Which of the following best represents "critical thinking"?

Accepted Answer

Choice "c" best represents the specific term of critical thinking. Choice "a" refers more generally to thinking, and the other items refer to types of reasoning.

Question 13

A teacher who fosters critical thinking in students would most likely ask them to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Teachers who foster critical thinking in students would ask them to analyze, infer, connect, synthesize, criticize, create, evaluate, think, and rethink. Superficial learning occurs when teachers ask students to repeat, recite, define, describe, state, and list.

Question 14

______ refers to thinking in which an individual evaluates alternatives and makes choices among them.

Accepted Answer

This definition best refers to decision making specifically.

Question 15

Which of the following cognitive changes occur during adolescence that allow improved critical thinking?

Accepted Answer

Several cognitive changes occur during adolescence that allow improved critical thinking, including: increased speed, automaticity, and capacity of information processing, more knowledge in a variety of domains, increased ability to construct new combinations of knowledge, and a greater range and spontaneous use of strategies or procedures.

Question 16

Which of the following most accurately describes "hindsight bias"?

Accepted Answer

This tendency to change our incorrect initial prediction after the fact is best termed "hindsight bias."

Question 17

Heuristics are best described as strategies that

Accepted Answer

Heuristics can suggest a solution to a problem but do not guarantee it.

Question 18

Which of the following teacher behaviors encourages critical thinking?

Accepted Answer

Critical thinking is promoted when students encounter conflicting accounts of arguments and debates. Students often benefit when teachers refrain from stating their own views, allowing students to more freely explore different sides of issues and multiple perspectives on topics.

Question 19

Implementing critical thinking in the classroom can be difficult for teachers because of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Promoting critical thinking is not an easy task because many students come into a class with a history of passive learning and being encouraged to recite the correct answer to a question rather than putting forth the intellectual effort to think in more complex ways.

Question 20

Which of the following types of questions would best encourage critical thinking?

Accepted Answer

Critical thinking can be encouraged by asking questions such as "why" and "how."

Quiz 9: Complex Cognitive Processes