Week 2 Reflection: Six Thinking Hats

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I found this weeks task very interesting and it gave me ideas about how I would like to incorporate interactive thinking strategies through the use of ICTs into my own classroom to enhance the differing learning styles. I think it is very engaging for students particulalry for those that are regarded as digital natives and it promotes inquiry and discovery learning which is very much a constructivist approach (Bruner as cited in Snowman et al, 2009; Prensky as cited in Churches, 2009). Similarly the use of computers is being incorporated to enhance the process of learning particulaly within the realms of thinking strategies such as Bloom's Digital Taxonomy (Churches, 2009). Bloom's Taxonomy traditionally represents the methodologies to describe the levels in which we learn that fit into three domains: cognitive, affective and psychomotor (Churches, 2009). In Bloom's Digital Taxonomy, there is greater emphasis being placed on using collaborative learning techniques to enhance higher order thinking particulalry considering the communicative nature of technology (Churches, 2009). The topic 'mobile phones in classrooms' activity required me to investigate information on the topic, read the response of my peers based on the 'six thinking hats'  and compare the information presented which gave me further insight into analysing and organising my own perspective and views on the topic which I posted in the designated wiki. This was an effective use of collaborative learning through the use of technology and was a great example of connectivism as new information was being generated, modified and interpreted upon from all participants while the diversity of opinions and perspectives enriched my comprehension. According to Bloom's Digital Taxonomy, the use of ICTs can be utilised to support the different levels of thinking dependent on the specific task. The wiki activity was incorporative of all levels of thinking particulalry higher order thinking through incorporating the 'six thinking hats'. I believe that it would be extremely invaluable and a motivating learning experience to use in the classroom particularly if it was a topic that was in the interest base of the students. I also like that the 'six thinking hats' was used within the wiki because it adds another engaging element to the task that maximises thinking and essentially learning. I think it was a great example of effective scaffolding and it really does outline the importance of structuring tasks so that they are accessible otherwise they could impede on the overall learning experience. View the Wiki PMI at http://amylyle.wikispaces.com/Wiki+PMI

References

Churches, A. (2009). Bloom's Digital Taxonomy. Retrieved from http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/file/view/bloom%27s+Digital+taxonomy+v3.01.pdf

Snowman, J., Dobozy, E., Scevak, J., Bryer, F., & Bartlett, B. (2009). Psychology applied to teaching.
Milton, QLD: John Wiley & Sons Australia.