Week Two activity

In this week's activity we used Edward de Bono's 'six thinking hats' method to reflect on whether or not we believe mobile phones should be allowed in classrooms. De Bono's strategy allowed us to respond using the six modes of thinking. See link. By collaborating in this exercise we were able to look at the topic of mobile phones in the classroom from all points of view, and discovered points we may not have been aware of. As everyone contributed their ideas and opinions it broadened our own knowledge and understanding of the topic, therefore once again supporting Vygotsky's social constructivist theory that emphasises how our knowledge and understandings about things develop through social encounters. De Bono's thinking hats are a great way to encourage thinking on a range of levels, as is Bloom's Taxonomy (see link). Both these teaching strategies support higher order thinking which is essential for all students to develop, as we are living in a knowledge economy that requires thinking outside the box. These days, through ICT's, we have access to an abundance of information. It is how we process and use this information that determines our success, hence the importance to not only process information on the basic level but also to extend our thinking to the higher level. For instance, it is like doing this course, I have access to all the tools and the information necessary to manipulate them. Although how far I decide to take it is up to me, I could create my blog and wiki and complete this course never to use them again. Or, I could take what I have learnt, get creative, trial it, change it, enhance it and embed it into my teaching pedagogy, and hopefully gain succesful outcomes.