Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

What cognitive process does Ms. Johnson engage her students in by asking them to predict how to find information?

1. Inductive reasoning

2. Critical thinking

3. Deductive reasoning

4. Reflective thinking

The correct answer is: Inductive reasoning

When Ms. Johnson asks her students to predict how to find information, she is engaging them in inductive reasoning. This cognitive process involves drawing general conclusions from specific observations or examples. In this context, students are encouraged to take specific instances or known pieces of information and make predictions about how to uncover further information based on those prior experiences or knowledge. Inductive reasoning helps develop skills in making generalizations and formulating hypotheses, as students learn to identify patterns and make connections. This is particularly important in educational settings, where students need to build upon what they already know to generate new insights. The other options represent different cognitive processes. Critical thinking involves the analysis of facts to form a judgment, which may occur after making predictions but is not the primary focus of Ms. Johnson's question. Deductive reasoning is characterized by applying general principles to specific cases to draw conclusions, which is the opposite process of what is happening here. Reflective thinking involves considering the thought processes and understanding one's own learning moment, which may follow the prediction but is not the immediate engagement implied in the question.