6 Thinking Hats

How

1. CAIT 5: Explores possibilities and generates novel and useful ideas

• Through a multi-dimensional approach, the technique helps students explore different aspects of a problem, fostering divergent thinking (idea generation) and convergent thinking (idea refinement)

2. CAIT 6: Evaluates and refines ideas to formulate novel and useful solutions

• It provides a structure to thought and a systematic exploration of ideas, leading to more thorough and balanced thinking and consideration of a problem or task.

• The Blue Hat and Green Hat also helps students reflect on and refine their creative processes, developing metacognition which is important for refining inventive tasks

Suggested strategies for fostering 'Inventive Thinking' through 6 Thinking Hats

• Step-by-step exploration and/or reflection towards a design challenge

  • • Break down tasks, asking students to focus on one hat at a time

    • Use the White Hat for gathering facts, then move to Green Hat for idea generation and brainstorming. Thereafter, the Black Hat can be used for considering practical challenges and risks

    • Use the Blue Hat to guide reflective discussions after creative activities, helping students analyze their thinking and refine ideas.

• Group collaboration

  • Assign different students to wear specific hats during group work to ensure diverse thinking. Rotate roles to foster full participation and varied perspectives.

  • An example of an order is as follows:

    1. • Blue: Start with the approach and process

       • White: Review the facts

       • Green: Generate new ideas without judgment

       • Yellow: Focus on the benefits

       • Red: Consider emotional responses to any ideas

       • Black: Apply critical thinking after the benefits have been explored to test the viability of the new ideas

Other important points to note:

• Hats are about direction (“what can happen”), not descriptions (“what is” or “what has happened”)

• Hats are not meant to label or categorize our students. The main idea is that all of us can and should think in every direction.

• Use it like a game, to set the rules of behaviour and have everyone follow those rules. It targets behaviours, not personalities, it is a great tool to effect change.

More on 6 Thinking Hats

• Videos

  • De Bono’s 6 Thinking Hats explained

  • What is 6 Thinking Hats? 

  • Demonstration of 6 Thinking Hats

References:

De Bono, E. (1985). Six Thinking Hats. London: Penguin Books.