Six Hats Thinking Assignment Components

Six Hats Assignment Template .docx1 of 2

Six Hats Thinking Assignment Components

For the Student: Background …

In this assignment you will use the format described below to examine/compare a number of [theories, articles/blogs/pieces of literature or art/studies/approaches/developments] that reflect specific content dealt with in this course.

This template is intended to support you in using several kinds of thinking

Informational - consider what you already know about the subject, bring new information to the question, and decide on its authority
Metacognitive/executive – monitor how what you are doing aligns with what you want to be doing
Logical negative – Identify faults, flaws, risks and dangers
Logical positive – Identify strengths, good points, opportunities
Creative – develop/design/imagine new or different approaches or perspectives
Affective – identify one’s own emotional process and stance towards the topic

This structure is based on the “Six Thinking Hats” of Edward de Bono. There is evidence that this approach can support you in thinking in a way that is more rich, balanced and comprehensive.

In this assignment you will be using [six] of the six hats. Each “hat” represents a certain perspective you are to take.

For the student: Instructions…

Choose two or more theories, articles/blogs/pieces of literature or art/studies/approaches/developments (the “pieces”) that you wish to examine or compare dealt with in this course.
Look at the marking guide below

Hat / Function / What to do / Marks /20
White / Informational / Summarize the information presented or referenced in the pieces. Identify important information that is not provided in the piece. / /6
Yellow / Logical Positive / Identify good points, strengths, advantages or benefits in the piece. The focus is “positive.” / /3
Black / Logical Negative / Identify weaknesses, disadvantages or risks. The focus is “negative.” / /3
Red / Affective / Say how you personally feel about the piece. Do NOT explain or justify your answer. (Note, “it sucks” is not saying how you feel, whereas “I hate it” is.) / /2
Green / Creative / For each weakness identified in the black hat, give an idea how to remedy, eliminate, or reduce the effect of the risk or weakness. / /3
Blue / Metacognitive / executive / Identify what will you do with this information and next steps / /3

Write your report. Address one hat at a time in the order above.
Submit your report….

For the instructor/course developer, a few notes

Note that unlike the group work model where each person has one role, in the Six Hats EVERYBODY wears the same hat at the same time. For example, everyone find good points (about an idea) and then everyone (including its owner) criticizes it.
Various sequences and combinations of hats are possible.
A hat can be repeated. For example, the blue (metacognitive/executive) hat can be repeated after the initial information inventory (white hat) is completed, i.e. goals may change.
The blue hat is very useful in group conversations where goals may be unclear or conflicting.

Author: Michael Cenkner, 2012