Techy Tools for Critical Thinking
Resources by thinking skill, as presented at NAGC 2023
Analytical Thinking
Noticing Details
Virtual Vacations
Visit locations around the world and play location guessing games
Noticing Details
Asking Questions
Tuva Labs
Interact with various data sets and graphs; explore questions related to data
Asking Questions
Classifying & Organizing
Padlet
Virtual whiteboard with tons of options to organize ideas collaboratively
Classifying & Organizing
Making Hypotheses
Estimation 180
Cumulative estimation activities, where each guess builds off the previous
Making Hypotheses
Investigating & Reflecting
Checkology
Online lessons in digital literacy and critical analysis of media
Investigating & Reflecting
Tableau
Visual, interactive representations of data with the ability to create new visualizations based on your own data sets
Convergent Thinking
Making Observations
Learn Around the World
Virtual field trips where students can interact with live guides and ask questions
Making Observations
Using Evidence
ESRI GeoInquiries
Hybrid lessons where students can interact with maps to substantiate content-based inquiries
Using Evidence
Inferencing
Google Experiment: Fabricus
Digital interactive exploring how we decipher hieroglyphics; includes game and learning opportunities
Inferencing
Deduction
Puzzle Baron
Interactive logic elimination grid puzzles
Deduction
Reflecting
What If?
A variety of scientific questions are answered in intricate details; students reflect on solutions and evidence
Reflecting
Blockly
Coding puzzles which use blocks to help students understand the order, relationship, and logic behind the code
Divergent Thinking
Generating Ideas
Curipod
Interactive slide generator with AI support for creation and feedback
Generating Ideas
Changing Perspectives
Google Experiment: Seeing Music
Use your computer's microphone or upload audio media to see the music come to life in a visual format
Changing Perspectives
Elaboration
Pixton
Comic strip and avatar generator for presenting, creating, and exploring content in new ways
Elaboration
Innovation
DIY.org
Challenges and projects in multiple disciplines (art, science, tech., etc.) for students to build and create
Innovation
Giving Ideas Purpose
BoomWriter
Collaborative group book-making where students vote on next chapters and create a physical book as a product
Giving Ideas Purpose
Poem Portraits
AI-generated collaborative poetry; great for idea starters and critical thinking about how some ideas may be unique but not purposeful
Evaluative Thinking
Considering Perspectives
DocsTeach
Interact with primary sources to consider various perspectives and aspects of history and culture
Considering Perspectives
Developing Criteria
Google Experiment: Tiny Sorter
Create a small mechanical sorter that works with the computer's camera to sort small objects based on input
Developing Criteria
Assigning Value
Living Room Candidate
Historical records of all presidential campaign ads since the 50's; investigative lessons to consider values
Assigning Value
Discussing Gray Area
Parlay
Digital format for group discussion, including options for verbal and text response as well as idea organization
Discussing Gray Area
Making & Defending Judgements
CueThink
Assign math tasks; students work through problems in workspace and then collaborate to discuss strategies
Making & Defending Judgements
DebateGraph
Interactive way to graph complex issues to show perspectives, arguments, implications, interactions, and impacts
Visual-Spatial Thinking
Spatial Language
MineCraft Education
Complete lessons, challenges, and puzzles to develop spatial awareness and language through gameplay
Spatial Language
Visualizing
CoSpacesEDU
Create virtual- and augmented-reality components to enhance existing content and explore further
Visualizing
Visual Perspectives
Toy Theater
Manipulate 3D shapes in space to build ideas like toys, buildings, etc. in a digital workspace
Visual Perspectives
Exploring Dimensions
TinkerCad
Take 2D ideas into 3D using the digital building space, then add coding to make ideas come to life
Exploring Dimensions
Seeking Structure
Science vs. Magic: Fractals
Explore with the fractal tool to edit angles, skew, and shapes to create amazing fractals
Seeking Structure
GeoGebra
Lessons and interactives in a variety of math strands which allow students to manipulate shapes, objects, and numbers to investigate concepts