Embedded Task 1 - deBono's Six Thinking Hats

When working through the course material and readings for both this week and last week I was able to significantly gain a grasp on just how the use of ICT is important and can be beneficial for students to scaffold their learning. This has allowed me start analysing the theories surrounding the use of ICT in the classroom and forming thoughts on my own digital pedagogies that I will incorporate into my classroom as a pre-service and graduate teacher.

The Wiki activity I participated in allowed me to reflect on various frameworks that were introduced this week such as the SAMR Model and Blooms Cognitive Taxonomy. Blooms Cognitive Taxonomy specifically related to this Wiki activity and scaffolded students learning by allowing them to evaluate and analyse various perspectives on a controversial subject whilst needing to remain open minded with each hat that they metaphorically wore.  

This activity encapsulates numerous good productive pedagogies. Due to this, the design of this wiki activity would provide many positive outcomes for students by scaffolding various different learning styles. This style of activity allows the student to work independently by forming their own thoughts and ideas on the subject, but also collaboratively as responses are grouped together allowing perusal of other students perspectives. By the students being able to view their peers thoughts and opinions, this activity would also support some students who may not feel confident with their own answers and may otherwise not have participated in the activity. Whilst this has the potential to lead to some students simply copying other responses and not developing their own thoughts and ideas, I feel the benefits of this activity outweigh the potential negative. DeBono’s Six Thinking Hats activity also enabled the students to think creatively as they wore each different hat. This is a valuable tool for students to have as it allows them to think critically which will help facilitate a higher order thinking process. Wiki activities can also value add to students learning by allowing them to go into their initial response to the task and update their thoughts and ideas.

I believe that the use of wiki is a valuable ICT activity and promotes good digital pedagogy. I especially see the value and significance in using deBono’s Six Thinking Hats as an educational tool for students to use and can be altered to suit any topic or discussion.