De Bono's hats

This was my first time to use 'Debono's hats' which I found to be an excellent tool in gaining perspective. Using the different coloured hats to express different points of view, you could then step away from the problem and look at it objectively through the positive and negative comments that were presented.

The issue we were faced with was on the use of mobile phones in the classroom. Should they be allowed and accepted, or banned completely?

Surely the mobile phone would have to be at the top of my personal list of distractions for students. From texting to facebook, apps and games, not to mention the constant beeping, I for one was convinced that I was firmly in the 'banning' section of this argument.

Imagine my surprise then, when upon completion and reflection of the 'DeBono's hats' session I found myself thinking there were positives into the use of mobile phones in the classroom! Say it isn't so!

Even though the very idea of a mobile phone in the classroom is something I instantly bawk at and abhore (as do many others), 'Debono's hats' made me realise it is just that: the very idea. Its the first thing that I think of. My Gut reaction. And that I should look at other perspectives before making judgements.

Here are some of the 'positives' I realised;

Firstly, almost every student has a mobile phone device.

Secondly, almost every student knows how to use one. (I realise not all students do have a mobile phone which could raise many different issues from discrimination to exclusivity, but lets stick to one theme at a time!)

Thirdly, the mobile phone is ingrained in society. We use it in so many facets of life, we don't know how we ever got along without it! From mail to maps to banking to games and instant information through the internet, it has become indispensable in every day life to us all, not just adolescents.

So, should we not then as teachers accept this exciting technology and embrace it as our students have and invite it into the classroom? How can we use this technology to our advantage instead of pulling our hair out by trying to ban it instead? By inventing in-school apps? By using apps already here such as facetime so students can interact with other students who are elsewhere? Would it not help the students to become more engaged as we are using a medium they know and obviously adore?

Learning Theories

This is a work in progress

Image from mycouponexpert.com

Week 1 reflection:

What a great read and insight into how a brain takes and relays information and the different learning styles and practices to enhance students abilities to retain information! It certainly shows and helps how you need to know your learner and their brain.

I really related to Howard Gardener's theory that we have "multiple intelligences" and that the word "intelligence" is too broad and subjective to be proven. This really highlighted the purpose and importance in understanding that every brain is different and each individual has different capacities in different areas of learning. While some students may excel in art, they may underperform in math and vice versa.

The 2005 studies done on the teenage boys whereby average and bright math students were given a difficult math problem to work out was interesting. By seeing the pictures of both the bright and average brains figuring the math problem out and how the bright brain lit up significantly more, reinforced the study immensely.

Dr Judy Willis' video lecture on the "reticular activating system or RAS, was fascinating. It really helped to break down the way the brain works and relays information to different parts of the brain based on sense, memory and new and old stimuli.
Also by breaking down the way a student can disconnect from learning into the three modes: Fight, Flight or freeze - and her tips on how to combat these situations, Dr Willis really opened my mind to different approaches and how to relate to each student in whatever situation may arise.
By keeping it interesting, stimulating and by relating to their personal goals, you can really make a difference to each and everybody's learning abilities.


So in summary, although there is no scientific evidence to support that using different learning styles will allow the students to gain a greater level of knowledge acquisition, there is evidence to show that   Learning and practicing certain skills will enhance other parts of the brain to improve and grow.  As we were told as children: practice makes perfect!

Ps. I didn't see the second "the" in "the bird in the bush" picture! I was shocked...:)