Our approach helps students develop a broad range of thinking and communication skills, including many outlined by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority in AusVELS: The Australian Curriculum in Victoria.
Collaborative philosophical enquiry develops the following capacities specified in the AusVELS Interdisciplinary Learning domains of ‘Communication’ and ‘Thinking Processes’.
Communication
Listening, viewing, responding
- listen attentively and without interrupting
- ask pertinent questions to explore, clarify and elaborate on complex ideas
- identify key points in presentations
- respond insightfully, justifying interpretations with reasons and evidence
- consider the possible justifications for alternative interpretations and points of view
- challenge assumptions
Presenting
- communicate ideas clearly, precisely and in a coherent and logical order
- build on the ideas of others
- develop complex and challenging arguments
- participate in peer discussions
- learn self-regulation
Thinking Processes
Reasoning, processing and inquiry
- develop questions for investigation
- explore issues from multiple perspectives
- synthesise complex information
- critically analyse and evaluate (sometimes contradictory) information
- engage in sustained discussion
- develop reasoned arguments using supporting evidence
- consider the validity of arguments
- distinguish between fact and opinion
- discriminate among sources
- seek relevance
- reflect, deliberate and make informed judgments and decisions
- develop concepts and coherent knowledge structures
Creativity
- think creatively about contentious, ambiguous, novel and complex ideas
- generate multiple options, problem definitions and solutions
- speculate about possibilities
- seek imaginative alternatives
Reflection, evaluation and metacognition
- articulate thinking processes
- reflect on and refine ideas
- become aware of how understanding has developed
- evaluate the effectiveness of thinking strategies and modify them appropriately
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