Pedagogical Framework for Developing Thinking Skills Using Smart Learning Environments

Abstract

Students need to develop thinking skills in addition to content knowledge. Many thinking skills in engineering and science are pan-domain in nature, such as system design, algorithmic thinking, creation and revision of scientific models, problem posing, and so on. Emerging smart learning environments have high potential in developing learners’ thinking skills. While there exist teaching-learning strategies for various thinking skills as well as learning environments that promote the learning of thinking skills, there is a need for a pedagogical framework that helps researchers to design effective smart learning environments targeting thinking skills. This chapter describes one such framework, called the TELoTS framework, which was developed using a design-based research methodology. The framework is based on theoretical foundations of the nature of thinking skills, learning and transfer of thinking skills, and design principles for complex learning in technology-enhanced learning environments. The framework prescribes a set of actions to be followed by the designer of a smart learning environment and offers guidelines on implementing the actions. The framework was applied to design a smart learning environment to develop thinking skills in engineering system design. Evaluation studies showed that the smart learning environment designed using the TELoTS framework led to improved student learning of the thinking skill.