Making Thinking Visible with Routines

Developing wider skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication is fundamental to preparing learners and apprentices for their future careers. However, these skills can feel abstract and difficult to teach explicitly. One of the most effective ways to make this process concrete is by embedding simple, structured 'thinking routines' into your everyday practice.

These routines provide a clear scaffold for learners, helping them develop valuable habits of mind that are transferable across subjects and into the workplace. They make the invisible process of thinking visible, accessible, and teachable.

What are thinking routines?

A thinking routine is a simple, repeatable protocol or pattern of questions that can be applied to various learning scenarios. They are not detailed lesson plans but rather short, memorable structures that guide learners' thought processes. The power of these routines comes from their consistent and repeated use, helping to automate higher-order thinking and build confidence.

• They are short and easy to remember for both tutors and learners.
• They are flexible and can be adapted to any provision type, from construction to childcare.
• They provide a shared language for thinking and discussion within a group.
• They encourage active participation and make every learner's thinking valued.

A routine for analysing information

A common challenge for learners is moving from simply consuming information to analysing its importance and applying it. The 'What? So What? Now What?' routine is perfect for this.

• What? First, learners identify the key facts, observations, or main points. This is about pure comprehension. What did we just read/see/do? What are the objective facts?
• So What? Next, they consider the implications. Why is this information important? What does it mean for the project, the client, or the next stage of the process? This encourages analysis and interpretation.
• Now What? Finally, they determine the next steps. Based on this understanding, what should be done? What actions are required? What questions do we need to ask? This moves them towards application and problem-solving.

You could use this routine to debrief a practical task, analyse a case study, or review an employer's brief.

A routine for exploring different viewpoints

Understanding different perspectives is a crucial skill for collaboration and customer service. The 'Circle of Viewpoints' routine helps learners step outside their own perspective.

• Identify the topic: Start with a scenario, problem, or a piece of work. For example, a proposed new workplace policy or a customer complaint.
• Brainstorm viewpoints: As a group, identify all the different people or stakeholders involved. This could include the manager, the apprentice, the customer, the finance department, or a supplier.
• Step into their shoes: Assign learners a viewpoint and ask them to consider the topic from that perspective. Use prompts like: "What might this person be thinking or feeling? What are their priorities? What question would they ask about this situation?"
• Share perspectives: Each learner (or small group) shares their viewpoint with the wider group, building a 360-degree understanding of the issue. This develops empathy, commercial awareness, and communication skills.

Embedding routines in your practice

For thinking routines to become powerful habits, they need to be integrated into the culture of your classroom or workshop. They should not be a one-off activity.

• Start small: Choose one or two routines that best fit your curriculum and use them consistently.
• Model explicitly: When you introduce a routine, use it yourself. Talk learners through the steps as you apply it to a problem.
• Make them visible: Use posters, handouts, or slides to display the steps of the routine, creating a visual reminder.
• Use the language: Refer to the routines by name. Ask questions like, "Let's use our 'What? So What? Now What?' thinking on this," to cue learners in.
• Share with colleagues: When a whole team uses a common set of routines, learners benefit from a consistent approach that reinforces these skills across their entire programme.

Where this fits in QualityHero: Using thinking routines provides clear, first-hand evidence of how your provision is developing learners' wider skills, a key aspect of the 'Participation and development' and 'Curriculum, teaching and training' evaluation areas. You can capture examples of these routines in action through observations and work scrutiny within QualityHero. The impact can then be tracked against 'Achievement' data and discussed in course reviews, with successful strategies shared across the provider via the Toolkit Areas module to ensure a consistent and effective approach.