CLASSROOM AND ICT USE
Classroom use:
De Bono's 6 thinking hats are an excellent classroom tool to encourage children to think critically and in more depth. These hats allow for focused thinking in one direction at a time, with each hat covering a range of different perspectives or viewpoints of thinking and can be applied to many situations or curriculum areas, particularly where problem solving is involved.
The hats should be displayed visually in the classroom so that they are easy to use and refer to. This can be done in a variety of ways, including posters, hats, or 6 teddies or soft toys each with a different coloured hat. Some examples can be seen below.
The thinking hats can be used effectively in groups when looking at different viewpoints on a particular issue or topic. Each group member using the same thinking hat at the same time, creating focused, parallel thinking. Children can then share their thoughts with the group and respond to each others ideas, creating more in depth thinking and becoming experts in their particular thinking hat. They can then share back to the class and to other groups who have been using a different hat. This approach encourages team work and improves communication and creativity. Findings could be presented in the form of graphic organisers, such as bubble maps for each thinking hat.
ICT use:
ICT can be incorporated into the use of the thinking hats in the classroom by using the internet for research, for example to find out more information about a particular topic or for inspiration of ideas. Children could also use ICT to present their findings on a topic to share with the class.
Examples of classroom displays:
De Bono's 6 thinking hats are an excellent classroom tool to encourage children to think critically and in more depth. These hats allow for focused thinking in one direction at a time, with each hat covering a range of different perspectives or viewpoints of thinking and can be applied to many situations or curriculum areas, particularly where problem solving is involved.
The hats should be displayed visually in the classroom so that they are easy to use and refer to. This can be done in a variety of ways, including posters, hats, or 6 teddies or soft toys each with a different coloured hat. Some examples can be seen below.
The thinking hats can be used effectively in groups when looking at different viewpoints on a particular issue or topic. Each group member using the same thinking hat at the same time, creating focused, parallel thinking. Children can then share their thoughts with the group and respond to each others ideas, creating more in depth thinking and becoming experts in their particular thinking hat. They can then share back to the class and to other groups who have been using a different hat. This approach encourages team work and improves communication and creativity. Findings could be presented in the form of graphic organisers, such as bubble maps for each thinking hat.
ICT use:
ICT can be incorporated into the use of the thinking hats in the classroom by using the internet for research, for example to find out more information about a particular topic or for inspiration of ideas. Children could also use ICT to present their findings on a topic to share with the class.
Examples of classroom displays: