Thinking activities need to be planned and scaffolded.
Students need to be aware that they are thinking (meta-cognition)
and that different thinking strategies are required for different problems.

Edward De Bono believes that, "..many highly intelligent people are bad thinkers.
Intelligence is like the horsepower of a car. A powerful car has the potential to drive at speed. 
But you can have a powerful car and drive it badly. 
Thinking is the driving skill with which each individual drives his or her intelligence."
                                                                                              ('Mind Power' 1995)

  Creative Thinking Strategy Websites 

Creativity Web Homepage: http://www.ozemail.com/~caveman/Creative/Techniques/ 
      This website contains dozens of practical strategies for classroom use. 
      Also includes a summary of DeBono's  Six Thinking Hats technique.

Deep Canyon: http://www.deepcanyon.com/b/ot/dd12.htm 
      Designed for business, this website also has great ideas and links for educational purposes.

Robert  Black's Creativity Challenges: http://www.cre8ng.com/CC/cc99/index99.html
     52 Creativity challenges to inspire your students.

Higher Order Thinking examples and activities: 
     http://www.covington.k12.tn.us/resources/word/hots1.htm  

Off the Beaten Track - A Web Quest to develop Thinking Strategies.

  Critical Thinking Strategies  

Mission Critical : http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/itl/7/active/index.html and the Main Menu

The Critical Thinking Community : http://www.criticalthinking.org/K12/default.html 
      A web resource for teachers that includes strategies and ideas.

Critical Thinking Resources for Teachers : http://www.indiana.edu/~eric_rec/bks/ct.html

Critical Thinking Strategies : http://www.criticalthinking.org/K12/k12class/strat/stratall.nclk

Socratic Questioning: http://www-ed.fnal.gov/trc/tutorial/taxonomy.html

Thinking Software 

E-Planning:
An online planning tool developed by Tony Ryan and Eric Frangenheim. This website allows the teacher to quickly plan lessons and units that incorporate thinking strategies, learning outcomes and activities/questions that promote higher order thinking. A must for the thinking classroom/school. www.e-learning.com.au 

Inspiration Software:
A concept mapping program that allows the user to brainstorm quickly (rapid fire tool), cluster and graphically organise ideas. A large range of templates is available on the CD and also from the website. These include lab reports, character analysis, lesson planning etc. A 30 day trial is available from www.inspiration.com 

Mind Manager Software:
A brainstorming program that has some excellent features. Online coordination of projects allows teams to represent ideas quickly and productively. www.mindsystems.com.au or support@mindsystems.com.au 
Check out the website for a great educational offer!

Reason!Able Software:
A brilliant piece of software that allows the user to practice the skills of reasoning while developing critical thinking skills by guiding and scaffolding the user's thinking. Although developed for tertiary students, it is a must for all high schools and upper primary.  www.goreason.com or info@goreason.com