Ability Quote by Marilyn Jager Adams
“If the process don't transfer, they cannot even be called thinking. They can be called learning, memory, or habit, but not thinking. The purpose of a course on thinking is to enhance student's abilities to face new challenges and to attack novel problems confidently, rationally and productively.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Teaching Thinking Skills, 1995
Thinking requires active mental transformation; mere habit or memory isn’t true thinking.
In simple terms: Thinking is active, not passive.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate active problem‑solving habits.
Themes
education
cognition
learning
Mood
educational
motivational
Type
pedagogical
psychological
When to use this quote
- classroom instruction
- self‑directed study
- professional training
Key Concepts
critical thinking
metacognition
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we foster confidence in novel problem solving?
- What strategies turn habit into thinking?
A Different Perspective
Students may resist challenging their assumptions.
