The aim of this research project is to investigate the essence of the development of the potential to think in tertiary education and to address the deficiencies with regard to the acquisition of high order thinking by students in the BEd study course at the University of Pretoria.
The rational for the development of the thinking potential of BEd students satisfy the requirements of didactic responsible education by complying with the mission of the University of Pretoria in the training of manpower with high order thinking skills; it promotes the academic performance and thus cost-effective institutional management because students can complete the BEd course in the minimum time; it prepares the students for the information era with subject as well as professional skills and it facilitates life skills.
The need for the development of thinking skills arose from the identification of students at risk for the BEd course. An orientation programme was developed in response to the needs of the BEd students at risk and the content was related to information processing through memory training, learning of complex learning material, problem solving and the development of a scientific disposition and emotional readiness.
The orientation programme was presented to the BEd students at risk. The results from the examination as well as interviews with the experimental group showed that the programme met different needs and a recommendation is made for the programme to be presented annually before the onset of the academic year to the BEd students at risk. Recommendations are also made with regard to the content and the organisation of an orientation programme and the continuation of the components of the development of thinking from a subject specific perspective throughout the BEd course. It is also recommended that, because of the small number of students in the study population the research should be repeated to be able to make conclusions that can be generalised.
