DECREASE IN THE LEVEL OF SYSTEMATIC THINKING OF PUPILS: REVEALING OF THE TENDENCY AND THE ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCING FACTORS

In the article the changes in the development of systematic (regular, logical, analytical) thinking of pupils are analyzed. At the beginning of the article it is explained, why the term “systematic thinking” has been chosen. The purpose of this article is to draw attention of educators to the crisis in the development of systematic thinking, and to prove the necessity of proposing new techniques and methods of developing corresponding abilities. In our research the qualitative method of experts' estimation has been used. The author comes to conclusion that in the last 15 – 20 years the level of systematic thinking of pupils has decreased. The conclusion is based on interviews with teachers and teacher trainers most experienced in teaching. Several examples are given to demonstrate the decrease. In the process of school reform the problem has not received sufficient attention so far. Moreover, some features of school reform interfere with the development of ability of systematic thinking. Systematic thinking is negatively influenced also by some characteristic trends of modern culture. It is most important for the teachers and teacher trainers to pay due attention to the problem.