SINOPSIS: MATHEMATICAL THINKING

In mathematics, there are three types of thought that can be used for instructional purposes: (1) Critical thinking

(2) Problem-solving

(3) Creative thinking

CRITICAL THINKING

It is distinguished by being essentially evaluative. It answers the questions:

-what shall I believe?

-which alternative shall I select?

PROBLEM –SOLVING THOUGHT

This tend to be a systematic, analytical process by which we use what is known to discover what is not known.

CREATIVE THINKING

This focuses upon developing original solutions, products, or processes. It is marked by

IMAGINATIVE, DIVERGENT approached to problems.’ Intuition’ (or “hunch”) is a useful source for creative thinking.

Relationship among Three Types of Thinking

CRITICAL THOUGHT

P.S. THOUGHT

CREATIVE THOUGHT

v Evaluative by stated

Criteria

v Reflective skepticism

v Suspended judgment

v Use of logical analysis

v Systematic

v Analytical

v Empirical

v Systematic

v Uses heuristics

v Uses algorithms

v Convergent

v Linear

v Intuitive

v Speculative

v Questioning

v Synthesizes

v Experiences