Multipurpose Sorting:

Cause and Effect

In general, the multipurpose strategies mentioned in West, Farmer, and Wolff are more abstract.

One way to consider cause and effects strategies is as a type of "if/then" strategy. The simulation computer game " Oregon Trail " emphasizes the effect of actions or nonaction (cause) on the success of early pioneers in reaching or not reaching the west coast (effect).

Frequently, the causes of the American civil war are argued by history scholars to have effects not immediately apparent to the general public.

Similarities and Differences

As a classification strategy, similarities & differences (or comparisons & contrasts) are used effectively by students adept at seeing patterns in a situation.

As an instructional strategy, similarities and differences can be effective for asking learners to delve into a learning situation and base their perceptions on what they have learned.

For example, one of the purposes of some cities, such as Mobile , having " Sister City " programs must surely be to allow the cities' citizens to see their similarities and differences and thereby improve cultural understanding.

Forms and Functions

Classifying by form is to question, "What X is like? What is X's structure?"

Classifying by function is to question, "How does X work?"

For example if you were teaching about ancient Greece , you might ask learners questions about the structure and function of an ancient Greek domicile.

Advantages and Disadvantages

In general advantages and disadvantages (pros and cons) helps to sort material around which argument is based.

Example: In a course in conservation, you might ask learners to construct the advantages and disadvantages of shrimping with turtle excluder devises.

In addition, the advantage/disadvantage strategy can be used to help learners classify information to make decisions.

Example: In help in students to make career decisions, you might show them how to create a "Pros and Cons" table considering various quality of life issues.