A Level Thinking Skills (9694)
I started teaching A Level Thinking Skills in 2011, and have found it an exciting but tough subject to understand. I have started gathering resources as I am working through the syllabus, and I hope to add more as I tutor/facilitate it again. In the meantime, I hope these resources will be helpful.
Updated September 2015
Suggested Textbooks
Syllabus
To have most success at passing CIE examinations, it is important to read the syllabus for the year in which the student is taking the examination. It can be accessed on the CIE website at
http://www.cie.org.uk/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-thinking-skills-9694/
CIE Past Papers
1. Past papers for A Level Psychology can be obtained from the CIE website under the specific subject at
http://www.cie.org.uk/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-thinking-skills-9694/past-papers/
There are examiners’ reports, question papers and marking schemes for one of the previous year’s exam sessions.
2. If you want more past papers, go to the CIE website and click on the publications tab. There are usually three years' worth of past papers, examiners' reports and marking schemes. For minimal cost, you get a CD-Rom with all the papers in your specific subject. Check here for the latest publications catalogue:
http://www.cie.org.uk/profiles/teachers/orderpub
Websites
www.idebate.org
This site has a number of topics, links and a useful glossary.
http://www.folj.com/folj.com/puzzles/
This site is just one example of logic puzzles. Students might be really interested in logic puzzle books or puzzles – the best students can be encouraged to solve logic problems and then explain their reasoning to the rest of the class.
http://austhink.com/critical/
One of the many sites for critical thinking. This has argument mapping tutorials.
http://www3.cis.gsu.edu/dtruex/courses/IB8710/instructions/Writing-Toulmin-Argumentaiton-2012.pdf
This shows the basis of Toulmin theory. There used to be a better link to Toumlin's work, but it appears to have gone.
http://www.fallacyfiles.org/taxonomy.html
This is a well-organised site showing logically categorised flaws.
http://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/diagram.html
This website shows examples of argument diagrams. It can be a useful addition to the CIE-endorsed textbook, Thinking Skills.
http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/LiberalFAQ.htm#Backglobalwarming
An interesting site, showing constructed arguments on various topics, or myths. This can be a useful site to show students how arguments are constructed against potentially ambiguous or contentious issues.
http://www.philosophypages.com/lg/e01.htm
Arguments and inference, clearly detailed on this website. Can be used as a reference tool by teachers and students.
http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/phonics/analogies/analogiesx.htm
A fun interactive game, pairing words in analogies.
http://philosophy.hku.hk/think/
I like this site because it comes from Hong Kong (where I grew up). It is worth a look, as there is plenty of material to read.
Copyright©2015 All rights reserved. Eddis Tutorial Services LLC
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Updated September 2015
Suggested Textbooks
- Butterworth, J., & Thwaites, G. (2013) Thinking Skills ISBN 9781107606302
- Lally, J. et al (2008) OCR AS Critical Thinking Student Book ISBN 9780435235895
- Lally, J., Hart, C. & McCabe, T. (2010) OCR A2 Critical Thinking Student Book ISBN 978-0435235901
Syllabus
To have most success at passing CIE examinations, it is important to read the syllabus for the year in which the student is taking the examination. It can be accessed on the CIE website at
http://www.cie.org.uk/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-thinking-skills-9694/
CIE Past Papers
1. Past papers for A Level Psychology can be obtained from the CIE website under the specific subject at
http://www.cie.org.uk/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-international-as-and-a-level-thinking-skills-9694/past-papers/
There are examiners’ reports, question papers and marking schemes for one of the previous year’s exam sessions.
2. If you want more past papers, go to the CIE website and click on the publications tab. There are usually three years' worth of past papers, examiners' reports and marking schemes. For minimal cost, you get a CD-Rom with all the papers in your specific subject. Check here for the latest publications catalogue:
http://www.cie.org.uk/profiles/teachers/orderpub
Websites
www.idebate.org
This site has a number of topics, links and a useful glossary.
http://www.folj.com/folj.com/puzzles/
This site is just one example of logic puzzles. Students might be really interested in logic puzzle books or puzzles – the best students can be encouraged to solve logic problems and then explain their reasoning to the rest of the class.
http://austhink.com/critical/
One of the many sites for critical thinking. This has argument mapping tutorials.
http://www3.cis.gsu.edu/dtruex/courses/IB8710/instructions/Writing-Toulmin-Argumentaiton-2012.pdf
This shows the basis of Toulmin theory. There used to be a better link to Toumlin's work, but it appears to have gone.
http://www.fallacyfiles.org/taxonomy.html
This is a well-organised site showing logically categorised flaws.
http://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/diagram.html
This website shows examples of argument diagrams. It can be a useful addition to the CIE-endorsed textbook, Thinking Skills.
http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/LiberalFAQ.htm#Backglobalwarming
An interesting site, showing constructed arguments on various topics, or myths. This can be a useful site to show students how arguments are constructed against potentially ambiguous or contentious issues.
http://www.philosophypages.com/lg/e01.htm
Arguments and inference, clearly detailed on this website. Can be used as a reference tool by teachers and students.
http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/phonics/analogies/analogiesx.htm
A fun interactive game, pairing words in analogies.
http://philosophy.hku.hk/think/
I like this site because it comes from Hong Kong (where I grew up). It is worth a look, as there is plenty of material to read.
Copyright©2015 All rights reserved. Eddis Tutorial Services LLC
Back to home page