Edward+De+Bono+-+6+thinking+hats

=**6 Thinking Hats**= In the early 1980s Dr de bono invented the [|Six thinking hats]method, it acts as a framework for thinking, incorporating lateral thinking. The 6 modes of thinking are "directions to think, rather than labels for thinking. That is, the hats are use proactively rather than reactively" (Labelle, 2005) This method promotes input from more people, students they may have felt left out or unsure or even had a different point of view may be able to feel more confident as they are answering from the 'yellow hat' point of view. At the same time, in a group situation each small group will focus on a task using the same coloured thinking hat - focused parallel thinking, facilating collabration. Allowing for less arguments and enabling for all student's points of view to be equally valued and considered. (de Bono for schools, 2011)

The key theoretical reasons for using the six thinking hats method are to:
 * Encourage Parallel thinking
 * Encourage full spectrum thinking
 * Seperate ego from performance (Labelle 2005)

Metaphorically speaking each hat is a different color which signals the 'thinking ingredient', and can be taking off and put on, which is essential to the success of the method.

The Hats
The WHITE hat is all about facts and figures, information and data!

The Red hat is about intuition, feelings and emotions, gut instincts, there doesn't need to be a reason. The Black hat is logical, it's about judgement and caution, difficulties and weaknesses. It is not a negative or inferior hat!

The YELLOW hat is logical positive, strengths, why something is going to work, the reason something is useful.

The GREEN hat is about creativity, possibilities, ideas and alternatives.

The BLUE hat is the overview hat, it is thinking about thinking. It is concerned with Meta-cognition.

The 6 thinking hat method also links in well with Bloom's Taxonomy, for example:

 * White hat- facts, data & information = Bloom's KNOWLEDGE
 * Red hat - feelings and emotions = Bloom's EVALUATION
 * Black hat - Logical, judgement & caution = Bloom's ANALYSIS and EVALUATION
 * Yellow hat - positive, strengths = Bloom's ANALYSIS and EVALUATION
 * Green hat - creativity and ideas = Bloom's SYNTHESIS
 * Blue Hat - thinking about thinking = Bloom's COMPREHENSION and APPLICATION (McAleer, 2006)

Like all methods or programs there are always benefits as well as cautions, and I believe you need to be aware of both to be able to utilise a program to the fullest extent. Some of the benefits include; the visual image provided by the coloured hats - making it easier for students with certain disabilities to recognise and identify with the thinking. The strategy can be used on a variety of thinking levels from simple to sophisticated - allowing for students of different abilities to work at their own level, it provides interdiscplinary links to the curriculum. It is also a method that teacher's can use for all ages and stages of a students education. The biggest caution is that this is just one method, and as teachers we should be cautious of excluding any other methods.

References:

de Bono for schools (2011) //Practical thinking tool for students// Retrieved from: [] 26/7/2011

Labelle, S (2005) //Six thinking hats// Retrieved from:[] 26/7/2011

McAleer, F (2006) //Develop Critical and Creative Thinking Skills: Put on Six Thinking Hats// Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, PASCD Retrieved from:[] 26/7/2011