thinkingusing

Thinkingusing is a neologism that denotes the practice of applying deliberate thinking during the use of tools, interfaces, or systems. It frames interaction as an opportunity for metacognition, aiming to improve problem solving, learning, and decision making by reflecting on actions as they occur.

Origin and scope: The term blends "thinking" and "using" and has appeared in online discussions and some educational and human–computer interaction resources since the 2010s. There is no single, authoritative definition, and usage varies across disciplines.

Concepts and methods: Thinkingusing often involves structured strategies such as think-aloud protocols, planning steps before acting, monitoring progress, evaluating outcomes, and adapting methods in real time. It can be applied when learning with a calculator, programming environment, or complex software, as well as in hands-on tasks with physical tools.

Applications: In education, thinkingusing supports self-regulated learning by making cognitive processes explicit. In software design and UX, it can inform how to design prompts, tutorials, and feedback that encourage users to reflect on their workflow rather than perform actions reflexively. In professional training, it can help workers develop adaptive expertise.

Reception and limitations: The term is not widely standardized and is largely used descriptively. Some scholars treat it as synonymous with existing concepts such as metacognition, think-aloud methods, or reflective practice, while others see it as a distinct framing of tool use. Empirical work is limited and methods to measure its impact are still developing.

See also: think-aloud protocol; metacognition; self-regulated learning; user experience.