Week 2: The mobile phones debate using De Bono's Six Thinking Hats

I have just completed the Thinking Hats activity for the use of mobile phones in classrooms. The answers below are in the context of being a Distance University student, and on using wikis and the Thinking Hats combined to combine and explore different ideas.


What was the purpose of this activity?
I believe the purpose was to expand thinking, and force students to not only seriously consider a range of perspectives, but also become familiar with technology. This activity was a great example of how a scaffold can be created for students in the classroom, where they can express creativity and opposing views, while being guided by the creator of the wiki. It incorporated technology into learning, higher-order thinking, creativity and problem-solving (all elements of good digital pedagogy).

What would this activity fall under in the SAMR model or Blooms Taxonomy?
 I think this falls under Modification in the SAMR model as it would not have been possible to see the ideas of the other students in this course in a logical format without technology, in this case the Wiki. Even the use of forums would not have been as effective, because in the Wiki the ideas were already organised and students just had to add their ideas in the relevant sections.
It was definitely higher-order thinking as not only was I required to add my thoughts, but justify them as well. That falls under the highest level of Blooms Taxonomy, evaluation. Even while structured, the activity made you think about why, and think about the opposing views and attempt to justify them as well.

What are the benefits or issues in participating in a Wiki?
The benefits:

• Opportunity to collaborate
• Opportunity to discuss and evaluate
• Use of technology to link people that may be in different physical locations
• Able to be flexible, allow for creativity in responses

The issues:

• Possible plagiarism 
• Possible that activities are misinterpreted due to lack of face-to-face communication
• Can get messy with too many users
• Can take a great amount of time to set up

How could an activity like this one benefit your students?
In the context of a Year 9 Maths class, a wiki could be used as a discussion area. Students can brainstorm and complete activities over the wiki. It can allow shy students to actively participate in class discussions, and can guide student thinking quite easily.

How did the scaffold support the collection of a range of perspectives?
The scaffold meant that instead of reading each persons ideas as one idea, it forced me to consider other ideas and it guided my thinking. It also allowed me to read on particular ideas where I was struggling, and made much more sense to read then a collection of paragraphs on all the perspectives from each student.


It was quite difficult for me to complete this activity, as I have very strong views on the topic in particular. I was pleasantly surprised to find afterward that I better understood the opposing view, and felt I had learned even though I simply added my voice to a discussion. That I could voice my opinion was strangely fun, and I think that students would also appreciate the chance to engage in a way where their voice is just as loud as that popular student, or the smart kid. Completing activities over wiki's means that students have an equal voice and support through scaffolding or reading others opinions, and I really like the idea now that I have participated in one myself.