Assessment 1 Embedded Task 1

Hi everyone,

Whilst reading over the course materials for this week, I came across the de Bono's hats activity. I found this particular activity intriguing as the learning theory was quite different as it made me think of the different issues and perspectives  in relation to the mobile phones in classrooms debate. My own personal experiences of prac teaching make me feel as if students having their phones next to them in the classroom is distracting. I feel as if the wiki activity worked positively as it gave me the opportunity to reflect on my thoughts on the activity topic and this is also a reflection on its design as well. I can also see that this particular activity can be differentiated to accommodate the different learning techniques across a range of learners.

The learning theory behind this particular activity was to, in my opinion, think outside the box and consider several different ideas and opinions about the subject matter. This can be related to the SAMR model as this learning technique has been modified to incorporate the use of technology (Modification) as well as using technology as a direct tool substitute with functional improvements (Augmentation). The purpose of this activity was to make students think of and acknowledge the different thinking behind the different hats and the questions that they posed. The questions were specific to the different colours of the hats to identify the different thinking techniques that were necessary to answer the questions. Referring back to the SAMR model, the questions were continually being modified and created through the use of technology (Redefinition) as well as some questions being directly substituted and not changed (Substitution). The pedagogies within this activity have been included, in my opinion, to teach the content most effectively, again with the range of questions that they pose.

The value of the scaffolding for this particular activity is that it allows for higher order thinking to answer the questions, and through this I was able to identify my own perspectives on the mobile phones in class question. The purpose of this particular scaffolding is to make the various questions be the primary purpose of the activity and to encourage thinking in relation to the questions. My learning outcomes in relation to this activity allowed me the opportunity to identify my outlook on the mobile phone issue as a result of the scaffolding of the activity.

Thanks,
James.