College Teaching and the Development of Reasoning: Workshop Materials
Date of this Version
October 2007
Abstract
In Piaget's theory, concrete operational thought is characterized by serial ordering, simple classification, and conservation logic applied directly to objects. A person using concrete reasoning doing a Piagetian task must be able to observe objects and/or manipulate them. Formal operational thought involves proportional reasoning, separations or variables, elimination of contradictions, and class inclusion of exclusion operations. A person using formal reasoning is able to work in situations where one does not deal directly with tangible objects. A person using formal reasoning can apply concrete operations and can go beyond these operating when solving problems.
Comments
Workshop on College Teaching and the Development of Reasoning