East Ayrshire: Activating Children's Thinking Skills' (ACTS)
What is this?
The project introduced the infusion approach to the development of thinking skills across the curriculum to staff and upper primary pupils using the A.C.T.S. approach. The 'Activating Children's Thinking Skills' method which is modelled on Swartz and Parks(1994) infusion approach in the US was developed by Professor McGuinness of Queens University, Belfast. The approach is based on the rationale that if pupils are to learn meaningfully, to think flexibly and to make reasoned judgements they must be taught what is meant by different types of thinking and be taught them explicitly. Staff were trained to systematically identify opportunities within the 5-14 curriculum for thinking skills development and to design the lessons to highlight a specific skill within the context.
FLaT involvement?
FlaT support was provided to introduce an infusion approach to the development of thinking skills across the curriculum and to develop links with practitioners already using the approach.
Links with National Priorities?
1.Achievement and Attainment
2.Framework for Learning
3.Learning for Life
Project aims?
- To facilitate the development of an infused thinking approaches to learning and teaching.
- To create learning environments which recognise the potential to integrate thinking skills approaches into the 5-14 curriculum and encourage transference of ideas and skills.
- To raise attainment and achievement by more effective learning and teaching.
- To forge links with other professionals already using the A.C.T.S. approach in the South Eastern Education and Library Board.
Project outcomes?
- Raised achievement and attainment by engaging learners in a more active and learner centred approach.
- Trained and coached primary teachers in the A.C.T.S learning approaches.
- Taught transferable thinking skills.
- Produced a handbook of A.C.T.S lessons linked to particular aspects of the 5-14 Curriculum.
- Produced an instructional video illustrating ACTS in action.
- Facilitated team teaching of ACTS lessons.
Timescale?
The project was started in October 2003 and was completed June 2005.
Level of Support?
FLaT support was a grant of £18,955 plus evaluation costs.
Who are the evaluation team?
The evaluation is being undertaken by a team from the University of Newcastle.
Contact Details
Carole McConville,Quality Improvement Officer, Woodstock Centre, Woodstock Street,Kilmarnock,KA1 2BE. Tel No. 01563 555650. E-mail Carole.McConville@east-ayrshire.gov.uk