Course Overview
This course makes the Depth and Complexity Framework accessible and actionable for any classroom. Developed by Dr. Sandra Kaplan, the framework is built on research into how experts think differently — eleven distinct critical thinking tools that can be taught to students across grade levels and content areas.
Originally designed for gifted learners, the framework works for any student ready to go deeper. Instead of comparing and contrasting Washington and Lincoln, a student using these tools would compare the ethical dilemmas each president faced. That’s the shift — from surface-level content to expert-level thinking. You’ll learn how to teach and implement all eleven tools and integrate them into your existing curriculum.
About the Authors
This is a graduate-level course intended for K–12 educators who have completed a bachelor’s degree. It is recommended that you receive board or district approval before registering with TPAI.
A designation version of this course is part of the GT Specialist Designation, a five-course graduate pathway in gifted education.
