A Framework for Useful Thinking
- Dale Robertson
- Dec 18, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 26, 2023
We all want to be useful; we all want results; we all want to have influence and we all want to feel like we contribute.
If you want to achieve at least one of these, you’re not alone!
The dilemma is, how do we achieve these?
With the Framework for Useful Thinking, we can develop great wisdom and leadership that applies to ourselves, our families, and our professional lives. Whether individually, leading a team, or teaching and mentoring.
With the help of Benjamin Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives (1949-1953), this new way of thinking provides a valuable framework for fostering effective thinking and learning. This influential model categorizes educational goals into a hierarchical structure, providing a systematic approach to curriculum design and instructional planning.
Bloom's taxonomy consists of six cognitive domains. Namely, knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
Going forward, we will name them -
Each level represents a progressively more complex cognitive process promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
Basically, learning how to think better!
By providing a clear structure for educators to articulate and assess learning objectives, Bloom's taxonomy has also become essential for promoting meaningful and useful thinking.
Let’s dive right in.
1) Knowledge
The importance of knowledge as the foundation for understanding and acquiring wisdom.
Proverbs 4:7 states, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding." This proverb emphasizes how the pursuit of knowledge and understanding is a crucial step towards attaining wisdom. Knowledge provides the necessary framework for comprehending deeper truths and discerning right from wrong.
According to Benjamin Bloom, "knowledge" represents the foundational level of cognitive learning. This level focuses on the acquisition of information and a basic understanding of concepts.
Simply put, knowledge serves as the building block for higher-order thinking skills.
It’s important to have knowledge as a pillar in useful thinking for sure. It’s how we evaluate and make use of the knowledge that has wisdom hidden in it. If we take a step back from the situations we face and evaluate, we will gain knowledge and understanding - rather than reacting to the stimulus, we respond with wisdom.
Here are some useful questions to encourage this way of thinking -
Ask:
• What is actually happening here?
• What can I benefit from asking myself, or others?
• What other bits of knowledge do I need to gain in this situation?
Asking yourself these types of questions helps to alleviate the reactionary responses to events and nudges towards gaining greater knowledge and an accurate understanding of what’s happening. Hopefully, this eliminates blind spots and improves empathy and problem-solving, therefore helping you make wiser and better-informed decisions in response to the more likely outcome.
2) Understand
Understanding represents a critical level of cognitive learning, moving beyond gathering facts and figures.
Understanding involves grasping the meaning of information, interpreting concepts, and making connections between ideas. According to Bloom, understanding is a fundamental aspect and serves as a bridge between factual knowledge and higher-order cognitive processes.
It’s easy to gain knowledge of facts and feelings. By asking questions about the knowledge, we gain a better understanding of how they fit into the context.
So, how do we develop understanding?
Ask:
• Why is this important?
• Do I agree with or disagree with the knowledge?
• Does it fit in with my values and goals ?
• Am I ready to learn this new piece of knowledge or something new?
• Is this new piece of information relevant to my context or just clutter?
Among other useful questions, these types of questions can help us gain an understanding of how knowledge impacts us, how useful it is and how we should react to it. Overall, this can have a great impact on how our thinking is serving us or not.
3) Reflect
Reflection involves critically analysing information, questioning assumptions, and identifying gaps or limitations in the presented material.
This next step goes beyond surface-level understanding and encourages engagement in higher-order thinking skills such as analysis and evaluation. It encourages a deeper examination of ideas, concepts, and perspectives, promoting a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
Reflection involves challenging existing knowledge, seeking alternative viewpoints, and identifying potential biases or limitations in the information provided. It helps identify gaps in information and is crucial for developing a well-rounded understanding.
Reflective thinking also enhances critical thinking skills and fosters a sense of intellectual curiosity - developing a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the subject.
Here are some reflection-type questions:
Ask
• What gaps are there in the information that’s being presented?
• How would this affect other people in the situation?
• How does it help to reach or stay true to my goals?
4) Re-evaluate
Re-evaluation involves assessing and reviewing one's understanding, beliefs, and interpretations in light of new information or perspectives.
Wait, what? Reflect then re-evaluate!
Hold on…
Let’s take a step back and re-evaluate that statement.
Re-evaluation is a crucial tool in the framework for useful thinking!
This next step encourages a critical analysis of thinking and considers alternative viewpoints. Re-evaluation is a useful way to interpret ideas as it promotes intellectual growth and flexibility. It recognizes that knowledge is not static, but rather subject to continuous refinement and growth.
By embracing "re-evaluation," people cultivate a mindset of intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to challenge and expand their existing knowledge and understanding – known as a Growth Mindset.
It encourages one to reassess their understanding, challenge assumptions, and consider alternative perspectives. By engaging in re-evaluation, you can develop critical thinking skills.
Sometimes, even if one has gained all the knowledge and understanding they could possibly muster and have reflected to see if there are no gaps in their thinking, re-evaluation is inevitable.
How we embrace this part of a useful thinking framework determines how we can be dynamic leaders.
After some time, new information or variables come to light and we need to be able to utilise them to our advantage. Would it be of use to stick to our guns if there is an opportunity for more growth? This is where the re-evaluating skill is advantageous.
Using the principle of “sleep on it,” after making a big decision or making a move towards a goal, it’s always beneficial to re-evaluate all the information and understanding gained thus far. Reflect again and move forward accordingly.
Often, we are forced to re-evaluate.
Recognising change or a bump in the road as a necessary and advantageous step in a journey and embracing it as an opportunity to re-evaluate, grants us the ability to improve, adapt, or solidify our decisions with wisdom.
5) Apply it
How can I apply a useful interpretation of this knowledge (and now understanding) of the framework for useful thinking in my life today?
According to Benjamin Bloom, the aspect of applying knowledge holds significant importance. Applying knowledge refers to the ability to use acquired information, concepts, and skills in practical and meaningful ways. It goes beyond mere understanding and involves transferring knowledge into real-life situations, problem-solving, and making connections between different contexts.
To apply a useful interpretation of this framework for useful thinking in one's life today, consider the following steps:
1. Identify relevance: reflect on how the knowledge or concepts learned can be applied in personal or professional contexts. Consider the potential benefits or impact of applying these useful thinking tools.
2. Seek opportunities: actively look for situations or challenges where the newly acquired knowledge and tools can be practised. This could involve problem-solving tasks, decision-making scenarios, or creative projects.
3. Transfer and adapt: apply the knowledge in a way that suits the specific situation. Adapt and modify the information or skills to address the unique requirements of the context at hand.
4. Reflect and learn: after applying the knowledge, reflect on the outcomes and experiences. Assess the effectiveness of the application and identify any areas for improvement or further learning.
By actively applying knowledge in daily life, one can enhance their skills, broaden their understanding, and maximize the practical value of what they have learned.
Applying knowledge not only reinforces learning, but also empowers individuals to make informed decisions, solve problems effectively, and contribute meaningfully to their personal and professional spheres.
6) Create Something New
If I were to share this information with other people, what new perspectives might I include to create something new?
Sometimes we can utilise our creativity with these useful thinking tools to add value to the world around us.
In Benjamin Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives, the aspect of creating something new represents the pinnacle of cognitive development.
Creating something involves the ability to generate original ideas, concepts, and solutions by combining and reorganizing existing knowledge in novel and innovative ways. It encompasses creativity, originality, and the application of higher-order thinking skills.
When sharing information with others to create something new, several new perspectives can be included to foster innovation and generate fresh insights. These perspectives might include:
1. Alternative viewpoints: presenting diverse perspectives on the topic at hand can broaden understanding and challenge preconceived notions and cognitive biases. Encouraging individuals to consider different viewpoints to their own can stimulate new ideas and promote critical thinking.
2. Interdisciplinary connections: exploring connections and intersections between different fields or disciplines can lead to novel insights and innovative solutions. By encouraging individuals to draw from a range of knowledge areas, new perspectives can emerge, encouraging creativity and a cross-pollination of ideas. This means we’re able to tap into the uniqueness of individual genius.
3. Real-world applications: highlighting practical applications and real-world examples can inspire you to think creatively about how this framework for useful thinking has been used or misused in different contexts. By linking the framework to relevant and tangible situations, you can envision new possibilities and generate new habits of useful thinking. Understanding that practice makes permanent, as we pursue wisdom.
4. Collaborative exploration: emphasizing collaborative approaches and encouraging group discussions can stimulate the exchange of ideas and diverse perspectives. Create a space for open dialogue and constructive feedback. Utilising the framework for useful thinking in teamwork or collaborative / family matters can lead to collective creativity and the co-creation of new possibilities.
7) The Invite
Incorporating the framework for useful thinking, and encouraging individuals to adopt it for themselves, can foster innovation, creativity, and the generation of something truly new.
The inclusion of diverse viewpoints, interdisciplinary connections, real-world applications, and collaborative exploration can enrich the experience, encourage out-of-the-box thinking, and inspire the creation of novel and valuable contributions.
You have a powerful framework in your arsenal as a leader, parent, or even personally.
The challenge for you in step 7 is to invite people to utilise your new skills and to understand and partner with them, with the framework for useful thinking.
When aiding people with their ‘problems,’ as a leader, one doesn’t always need to provide an answer. But by using this framework, in aiding their exploration, the useful thinking approach will enable them to be creative and explore their uniqueness.
Here at Dynamic Insight, we are committed to helping people function at higher levels and to unlock their full potential while navigating life’s stressors.
Find out more about what we offer and how to work with a powerful partner in unlocking your full potential!
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