Six Super Thinking Tools

Man has progressed in all spheres of knowledge. Man is also harvesting the fruits of his success in all walks of his life. In the entire bio-diversity of this planet he is enjoying the kingly state in this century. He has established his supremacy over the other members of the planet. This is because he is blessed with a vital thinking organ, Brain. Man is a thinking animal. He can plan, organize, execute, reassess, analyse, implement, and evaluate his thought process.

Man is the only thinking animal in this universe. Brain is not only the seat of knowledge but also a thought processing organ. Cerebrum is the thinking part of the brain. Brain is a complex machine like the CPU of a computer. Brain can process information, analyse, synthesize and assimilate. The main difference between the computer and brain is our brain can think and computer cannot as it is just a machine.

Our thinking process works on these parameters. They are: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation. The human brain has separate sectors for governing each type of thinking skill. Thinking Skills can also be categorized according to the levels, our thought processes can reach.

Thinking Skills like remembering, repeating the ideas or definitions and recalling from our memory are based on the skill of Knowledge.

Thinking Skills like finding out the meaning, interpreting a graph or explaining a diagram are based on the skill of Comprehension or Understanding.

Thinking Skills like implementing or applying the knowledge learnt in situation successfully in another situation are based on the skill of Application.

Thinking Skills like deducing, examining, differentiating, categorizing and experimenting are based on Skill of Analysis.

Thinking Skills like making judgments, drawing conclusions from the information gathered are based on the skill of Evaluation. This type of thinking is also known as Critical Thinking. It is important type of thinking required when we come across crucial situations in our life. Evaluation of our self helps us to better manage our life and working environment.

Thinking Skills like putting all the parts in different ways or reorganizing the existing system in a different way are based on our Creative Thinking Skill. This is the most important and difficult type of thinking.

Certain other types of thinking Skills like intuitive thinking, divergent thinking, convergent thinking, parallel thinking, lateral thinking etc, are higher levels of thinking. All the discoveries and inventions of Science and Technology are the products of  these levels of thought of the respective scientists.

Man has devised certain tools of thinking. They are six in number. “What? Where? Who? When? Why? and How?” are the simple tools that enhance the power and the performance of our Brain. If the thinking process dwells in the planes of Whom, What, Where, and When then our thought process is only knowledge based. When we think in this level not much can be achieved.

When the thought process has to be elevated to a higher plane, then it is in the line of “how and why”. When our brain is trained to think in that higher level then we start advancing and achieving. These six super tools are the best aids to human progress.

Therefore, children should be trained to think with these simple tools to progress in their studies. The day to day lessons should be taught using Activities, puzzles and games in the schools to enhance the power of Brain.  Children should be encouraged to think in the plane of “How and Why” to increase the pace of their curiosity. Curiosity and inquisitiveness are the two qualities unique to children. Therefore teachers should bank on those and bring out the best from children. Children with maximum level of curiosity show high level of creativity. They become Innovators. They invent and discover new ideas, products, methods, systems and processes.

Innovative thinking and creative thinking is the very essence of human life that has promoted progress and growth. It is this type of thinking that has made our life very comfortable, science & technology has become a tool in the hands of man.

Always remember:  Who, What, Where, When Why and How are Six Super Thinking Tools to help us progress in Life.