Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Assessment of Professional Knowledge Practice Exam

Which approach best promotes higher-order thinking in students?

1. Passive listening in lectures

2. Standardized testing

3. Interactive discussions and collaborative problem-solving

4. Only completing homework assignments

The correct answer is: Interactive discussions and collaborative problem-solving

The approach that promotes higher-order thinking in students primarily involves interactive discussions and collaborative problem-solving. This method encourages students to engage deeply with the material, facilitating critical thinking and analysis. When students participate in discussions, they are required to articulate their thoughts, evaluate different perspectives, and synthesize information collaboratively. This active engagement helps them to not only understand the content but also apply it in various contexts, fostering skills such as evaluation, analysis, and creativity. In contrast, passive listening in lectures typically involves a one-way flow of information, where students may struggle to absorb and engage with the material actively. Standardized testing often emphasizes memorization and recall of information rather than the application or deeper understanding of concepts. Similarly, simply completing homework assignments may not challenge students to think critically unless those assignments are structured to require higher-order thinking, such as analysis or synthesis tasks. Thus, interactive discussions and collaborative problem-solving stand out as the most effective means of promoting higher-order thinking among students.