Each of the lessons in CoRT 1 is designed to encourage students to broaden their thinking. In the thinking of both children and adults the dominant fault is the tendency to take too narrow a view - for example, to take up an instant-judgement position on an issue. The lessons in CoRT 1 define attention areas into which thinking can be directed looking for plus and minus points; considering all factors; consequences; aims and objectives; assessing priorities; taking other people's views into account. By making the deliberate effort during the lessons to direct their thinking towards these areas, students can develop the habit of broadening their thinking. Research has shown that the use of these lessons can have a considerable effect in increqasing the number of aspects of a situation that are considered.
Foreword
Model Lesson Sequence
Lesson Notes - How to Run the Lessons
Standard Lesson Format
Lesson 1: TREATMENT OF IDEAS (PMI). Deliberate examination of an idea for good, bad or interesting points, instead of immediate acceptance or rejection.
Lesson 2: FACTORS INVOLVED (CAF). Looking as widely as possible at all the factors involved in a situation, instead of only the immediate ones.
Lesson 3: RULES. The basic purpose and principles involved, drawing together the first two lessons.
Lesson 4: CONSEQUENCES (C&S). Consideration of the immediate, short, medium and long term consequences.
Lesson 5: OBJECTIVES (AGO). Picking out and defining objectives. Being clear about one's own aims and understanding those of others.
Lesson 6: PLANNING. The basic features and processes involved, drawing together the previous two lessons.
Lesson 7: PRIORITIES (FIP). Choosing from a number of different possibilities and alternatives. Putting priorities in order.
Lesson 8: ALTERNATIVES (APC). Generating new alternatives and choices, instead of feeling confined to the obvious ones.
Teacher's Notes, Student's Notes (A), Student's Notes (B)
Lesson 9: DECISIONS. The different operations involved, drawing together most of the previous lessons.
Lesson 10: OTHER PEOPLE'S VIEWS (OPV). Moving out of one's own viewpoint to consider the points of view of all others involved in any situation.