LICEO DE CAGAYAN UNIVERSITY

XYRA KRISTI PALAC TORREVILLAS

MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION
MAJOR IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING
THE SIX THINKING HATS
by DR. EDWARD DE BONO
DR. EDWARD DE BONO
Edward Charles Francis Publius de Bono
 is a Maltese physician, psychologist,
author, inventor, philosopher and
consultant.
he originated the term lateral thinking,
the solving of problems by an indirect and
creative approach, typically through
viewing the problem in a new and unusual
light.
he wrote the book Six Thinking Hats and
is a proponent of the teaching of thinking
as a subject in schools.
 INTRODUCTION

The Six Thinking Hat:

• is a unit of thinking strategy that has been
widely acclaimed as an affective and
powerful aid to teaching and learning in
the classroom.
• it is just a simple Parallel Thinking strategy
for exploring any topic, objectively,
comprehensively and creatively.
 INTRODUCTION

• The concretization of the Thinking Tools by

colored hats makes it simpler and more
interesting, especially for younger students.
• When thinking is required the simple
direction to ‘do red hat thinking’ or ‘do
yellow hat thinking on that idea’ … is
instantly understood.
 INTRODUCTION

• The main focus of this thinking tool worldwide

is directed at company management where it is
used to direct thinking for meetings, and
assessment of new ideas.
• Is not age specific, subject specific or ability
specific.
• Has full cross-curricular transferability of skills
with application opportunities in every subject
area.
 INTRODUCTION

The usual problem faced by students when

assigned a new topic for study, or an essay is:
• Where to start?
• How to proceed?
• How to cover the topic comprehensively?
• How to apply the information?
 INTRODUCTION
• This common dilemma paralyses
progress from the start and generates
little enthusiasm.
• Using the Six Thinking hats solves the
problem as the learner has now learned
how to focus attention in a structured
manner.
 INTRODUCTION

• Using the Six Thinking Hats is figuratively

speaking.
• We do not ‘don’ hats. These could be
used to role play as the pupils don each
hat.
• They then discuss what type of thinking
this person does.
• This is a fun introduction for children.
 White Hat
White is for blank white paper
where we record information.
FACTS are listed under white
hat.
When asked to do white hat
thinking on any topic the learners
only give what facts are known.
We also ask questions to look
at what further information is
needed, and where to get this
information.
 White Hat
Example: Trees
 What we know: Trees grow in the
ground.
 Trees have branches and leaves.
 There are coniferous and
deciduous trees.
 Furniture is made from tree. Etc.
 What we need/want to know:
Which tree is the most common
tree?
 How do trees grow?
 Which tree is the hardest? Etc.
 Yellow Hat
Yellow is for the sun which
is warm and good.
We look only at the
benefits or good points.
POSITIVE Thinking.
If it is a proposal we only
look at why the proposal
would work, what are the
advantages…
 Yellow Hat
Example:
Possible answer:
 Trees give shelter.
 Trees help make the
country side
beautiful.
 We make furniture
from trees.
 Birds nest in trees.
Etc.
 Black Hat

Black is the traditional

color worn by a judge.
We look only at the
FAULTS. NEGATIVE
Thinking.
If it is a proposal we look
only at why it is wrong.
We look at possible
dangers.
 Black Hat
Possible answers:
 Trees can fall on the road
and cause accidents.
 Children can get hurt
climbing trees.
 Some trees can poison
animals.
 Trees can block view.
 Forest fires are very
dangerous. Etc.
 Green Hat
Green is for growth and
new life.
This is the creativity hat.
If directed to use the
green hat we only come
up with alternatives,
fresh ideas or creative
possibilities.
These creative ideas are
not judged.
 Green Hat
That will be done later
using the yellow and
black if necessary.
It is a vital part of
thinking that we always
look for alternatives
and creative solutions,
and suspend judgment
while doing so.
 Green Hat
 Example:
 Possible answers:
 Trees could be planted
in a row beside roads
and use to support
electricity wires instead
of poles.
 In parks people
(children) should be
allowed to sponsor their
own trees and could
have their name on a list
in the park. Etc…
 Red Hat
Red is for the blood and
heart – traditionally the
seat of emotions.
We look only at feelings
or intuitive reaction.
One can state how they
feel about an idea
without having to justify
why.
 Red Hat
Sometimes feelings are
hidden because we are
afraid of being challenged
to explain why we feel that
way.
Exploration of this
instinctive reaction can be
left to the other hats.
We just state your feelings
under Red Hat without
having to explore or justify.
 Red Hat

Example:
Possible answers:
 I like trees.
 I don’t like big trees.
 I think trees are
beautiful.
 I think trees are ugly
plants. Etc….
 Blue Hat
Blue is for the sky
which overseas
everything.
This is the hat we wear
when we decide what
type of thinking is
required.
It is the hat for
summarizing.
 Blue Hat
It is direct which hat
is to be worn at any
time.
It can be used to
direct the usage of
Focused Thinking
tools such as setting
out Aims or looking
at consequences.
 Blue Hat
Think of Blue Hat
Thinking as the
conductor or
chairman who
directs the
proceedings.
Blue hat is the
metacognitive hat:
thinking about
thinking
 Blue Hat
 Example:
‘‘We want to do some thinking
on trees so which hat will we put
on first?’… ‘And then?’… ‘And the
next hat?’ … ‘Why that hat?’ …
‘Which hat are you using now?’…
‘That’s not yellow hat thinking.
We should be only looking at the
good points now.’ ‘Let’s do a
Priority Focus on those points.’
Etc.
 Parallel Thinking
The Six Thinking Hat is a Parallel Thinking for
two reasons.
1. When used in a group thinking situation all
participants are using the same thinking
tool at the same time. Everyone is looking
at the topic from the same angle at each
stage. They are thinking in Parallel. No
argument, judgment, debate or
questioning of statement is allowed.
 Parallel Thinking
2. When points are being listed in any
of the exercises they are listed ‘in
Parallel’ rather than in order of priority.
Trying to prioritize points as they arise
would involve judgment, consequently
slowing the process and interrupting
the flow of ideas. Constant judgment
limits exploration.
SOME BLUE HAT SUGGESTIONS
Q UICK D ECISIO N

EM OT IO NAL ISSUES
SOME BLUE HAT SUGGESTIONS
DIRECT ACTIO N

EVA LUATIO N
SOME BLUE HAT SUGGESTIONS
PO SSIB IL ITIES

F INAL ASSESSM ENT

SOME BLUE HAT SUGGESTIONS

CAUTIO N
Teaching the hats
• It is very important for the teacher not to
get carried away with enthusiasm and try
to do all the hats at once.
• It is suggested only teach ONE hat per
week.
• The first lesson will be the formal lesson
and then gently apply this learned hat to
other subject areas during the next week.
Teaching the hats
• This is important,
• because learners will not readily
see the clear difference between
each hat.
• Each is distinct progressing to
the next.
READINESS LEVEL
• It is not necessary for children to be able to read
write in order to learn the Six Thinking Hats.
• Lessons can be altered to enable children to
respond orally or with drawings or the teacher
can record the response of the children on a
chart or blackboard.
• The only requirement is color identification
ability.
• The Six Thinking Hat can be used to varying
degrees of complexity from ages five to adult.
 SUGGESTED LESSON FORMAT
1.Explain the hat usage and symbolism of the
color.
2.Give examples demonstrating the hat usage and
type of thinking.
3.Invite class contributions.
4.Divide the class into group of 4 – 5. Each group
appoints a note taker (or the teacher can
nominate)
5.Give practice items but limit the time to 3
minutes. The time limit is very important to
avoid drift or boredom.
 SUGGESTED LESSON FORMAT
6. Take feedback. See which group has the most points.
See what points the other groups have to add to this. At all
times remember it is a process being taught. Do not stop
or slow the lesson making judgments. Quantity is more
important than quality at this stage.

7. Discuss the Hat and ask leading questions about usage

and applications.

Note: Blue Hat and Red Hat can be done orally with the
whole class. Use the lesson format for the other four hats.
 PRACTICE ITEMS
• Initially do not use relevant or topical
items for the exercises.
• Proposals to consider could be “do
yellow hat thinking on a bucket with a
hole”: why is it a good idea or useful.
• It is better to use novel or remote ideas
where there are no preconceived
notions or intrusion of bias.
 PRACTICE ITEMS
• The topic should be fun, serious, local,
remote, relevant, irrelevant, varied,
unimportant etc.
• The process is the most important thing
to teach rather than the content.
• Each hat is a thinking tool and must be
learned as a distinct tool.
• Keep feedback crisp and brief.
 SUMMARY
• Neutral and objective
• Only facts and figures
• First class facts: checked and
proven
• Second class facts: believed
to be true
• Identifies information that is
WHITE HAT
missing
• Never your own opinions
 SUMMARY
• Positive and constructive
• Explores for value and
benefits
• Seeks logical support
• Looks at why this will work
• Looks at the good points
only
YELLOW HAT
• Logical reasons must be
given
 SUMMARY
• Symbolizes fertility and
growth
• Creative thinking
• The search for alternatives
• Does not have to be logical
• Movement replaces
judgment GREEN HAT
• Generates new concepts
and perceptions
 SUMMARY
• Legitimizes your emotions and
feelings
• Fears, likes, dislikes, love, hates
• The opposite of objective
information
• Keep it short
• No need to give reasons
RED HAT
• Allows exploring of others
feelings
 SUMMARY
• Critical negative judgment
• Looks at the risks
• Points out dangers and
potential problems
• Points out faults
• Caution – not argument
• Logical reasons must be BLACK HAT
given
 SUMMARY
• Controls the thinking
process
• Organizes the thinking
• Thinking about what
thinking is needed
• Calls for the use of other
hats
• Maintain focus BLUE HAT

• Summarizes, overview,
conclusion
THANK YOU SO MUCH!