In this article, we delve deeper into the intriguing Top Three Levels of Thinking and how they can transform your learning experience and outcomes. If you missed part 1 of this exploration, make sure to check your inbox, as we shared essential insights last week!
A Quick Recap of the Levels
To fully grasp the concept, letโs briefly revisit the six levels of thinking and the resulting outcomes:
- Remember โ Regurgitate
- Understand โ Explain
- Apply โ Simple Problem Solving
- Analyze โ Comparison
- Evaluate โ Prioritize
- Create โ Hypothesize
In the first part, we discussed the foundational levels and emphasized the importance of reaching level 3 to enhance learning efficiency. Now, letโs elevate our understanding by exploring the higher levels.
The Power of Higher-Level Thinking
Level 4: Analyze
Level 4 thinkers are a rarity, and hereโs why. Analyzing involves comparing and contrasting different concepts, which requires significant cognitive effort.
Effective techniques for this level include:
- Using tables and Venn diagrams
- Creating summaries that highlight distinctions
- Engaging with questions that probe similarities and differences
These strategies compel you to critically assess how various elements relate to one another. Level 4 and Level 5 challenges are prevalent in the later years of university studies and are crucial in advanced professional environments.
However, many shy away from Level 4 due to the increased mental demand. While it may feel like youโre not making progress, youโre actually pushing your cognitive boundaries.
Level 5: Evaluate (The Top Learner Territory)
Level 5 thinking is where top learners thrive. This level revolves around making judgments and prioritizing information.
While Level 4 focuses on comparison, Level 5 shifts the questions to โSo what?โ and โWhy does this matter?โ Here, the goal is not just to recognize differences or similarities but to leverage that knowledge for decision-making.
To excel in this level, reflect on your material by consistently asking why itโs important. This thought process leads to superior outcomes, unlocking the โPrioritiseโ level of results.
Level 6: Create
Level 6, or Create, is about hypothesizing. Here, you utilize existing knowledge to formulate ideas where definitive answers are not readily available.
While Level 6 is not critical for everyone, it shines in high-level academic and professional situations. Daily operations typically require sharp Level 5 thinking, where important decisions take precedence.
Techniques for Elevating to Higher Levels of Thinking
The right technique is less significant than your intention behind it. Strategies such as mind mapping, teaching others, answering questions, or project-based activities can initiate Level 5 thinking.
However, merely completing these tasks without critical thought will not yield high-level insights. For instance, creating a mind map is not just about connections; itโs about discerning which relationships are most crucial and strategically grouping ideas.
Two Methods to Achieve Levels 5 and 6 Results
Method 1: Starting From the Bottom Up
Though it seems logical, beginning at the foundational level often leads to inefficiency. The traditional approachโmastering Level 1, then moving through each subsequent levelโcan be time-consuming.
Memory deterioration over time means that while youโre focusing on Levels 2 or 3, knowledge from Level 1 may fade away, leading to a frustrating cycle of relearning and forgetting.
Method 2: The Superior ApproachโStart From the Top Down
Instead, prioritize Level 5 right from the start. Begin by examining the material critically rather than fixating on memorization or basic understanding. By doing so, you engage deeper levels of processing and significantly enhance memory retention.
Focusing on the higher levels might initially require more cognitive effort, but the rewards are profound, resulting in reduced forgetfulness and enhanced comprehension.
By mastering the Top Three Levels of ThinkingโAnalyze, Evaluate, and Createโyou dramatically improve your ability to learn and apply knowledge effectively. Embrace these higher-level thinking skills to unlock your full potential and achieve remarkable results!
