HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills)

The use of technology to develop higher order thinking skills is well supported in many research papers. The Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology addressed the following question:"how can technology develop higher order thinking and problem solving?" The study examined the skills developed by ninth graders who used media presentations. The online tools required students to gather and evaluate information and communicate their findings in a meaningful way.

In another part of the study, a group of grade four and grade six students participated in a curriculum unit. Half of the group used online resources and the other half did not use the online resources. The group that used the online resources scored higher on measures of effective presentation and accuracy of information. The research suggests that the online resources provide a link to the world, a new reason to write and offer new sources of feedback on their ideas.

The research on HOTS is not just for kids. When studies were done on adults the findings were similar. The Interactive Multimedia Electronic Journal of Computer Enhanced Learning contains an interesting article that examined the effects of multimedia on adult learners. The results indicated that the use of multimedia did direct the students toward greater levels of higher order thinking skills.

However, it is important to note that the program used for the adult study was motivating for the students and created an environment for HOTS. for example, the program required learners to judge and assess the credibility of conflicting information and to problem solve. So, the critical piece for the teacher is to ensure that the use of technology is not at the bottom of the Bloom's Taxonomy but that it engages students at higher levels. It is important to evaluate the use of technology/software before students spend class time using it.