Critical thinking and creativity in geography is about teaching students higher order skills. These are part of a challenging curriculum to stimulate thinking. Thinking strategies in geography have been embedded in the geography curriculum of most schools since the 1990s.

In order to think critically, students must first of all have secure geographical knowledge. Using strategies such as critical thinking, decision making, problem solving and argumentation help them to build increasingly complex mental models in geography and also to develop metacognitive strategies to reflect on their learning.

The strategies discussed in this section are considered to be 21st century skills for an information-rich world. They encourage students to think rigorously, question ideas and assumptions and analyse and solve problems. They require students to think creatively and imaginatively, consider alternative solutions, distinguish fact from opinion and reach informed conclusions.

Start exploring how to incorporate these strategies in your geography teaching: