Thinking hats 2.0
Some visitors to this page are probably already familiar with the thinking hat method. In the 1980s, Edward de Bono developed the six thinking hats method, which he himself saw as a creativity technique. De Bono was not a political educator at all, and yet the method is used time and again in political education today due to its diverse range of options for changing perspectives.
A complex question or problem is to be discussed in a group. However, each person or small group is assigned a specific perspective (i.e. a thinking hat) from which to argue. It is presumably precisely this multi-perspective approach to social, political and economic problems that makes the method so interesting for political education. For example, the method allows for an emotional perspective as well as a rational one. Emotions are therefore not suppressed, but can be discussed on an equal footing. It is precisely for this method that we have developed a material in the JoDDiD innovation lab:
Jeder der sechs Denkhüte nimmt eine spezielle Perspektive auf eine zu diskutierende Frage ein. Jeder Blickwinkel ergibt andere Argumente und Ideen und führt die Gruppe zu einer multiperspektivischen Diskussion eines Problems. © Elisa Moser
Die Analytikerin äußert alle Fakten, die ihr zur Frage einfallen. Die klaren geraden Linien und das sichtbare Hirn am oberen Teil der Maske deuten bereits auf ihren sachlichen analytischen Blick. Idee und Umsetzung der Maske: Paula Wild. © Maren Jung
Der Nachfühlende benennt Gefühle und Emotionen rund um die zu diskutierende Frage. Das Auge steht im Mittelpunkt des Huts, denn u.a. der Ausdruck unserer Augen verändert sich je nach Emotion, die wir spüren. Idee und Umsetzung der Maske: Ida Hofmann. © Maren Jung
Die kritische Spürnase ist eher skeptisch und äußert Risiken sowie Herausforderungen, die sich im Hinblick auf die Frage ergeben könnten. Die Spürnase ist hier auch wortwörtlich der optische Mittelpunkt des Denkhuts. Idee/Umsetzung der Maske: Lore Ricker. © Maren Jung
Die Verstärkerin blickt optimistisch auf die zu diskutierende Frage und sieht die Chancen, in dem was gesagt wird. Sie ist daher in ihrer Oberfläche flauschig und in optimistischem Gelb gestaltet. Idee/Umsetzung: Flora Schwinger © Maren Jung
Der kreative Sprudel trägt neuen Ideen und unkonventionelle Lösungen zur Diskussion bei. Er sprudelt wie ein kleiner Vulkan, was sich auch ganz wortwörtlich im Aussehen des Denkhuts spiegelt. Idee/ Umsetzung der Maske: Jannes Donner © Maren Jung
Die Strukturierende hat den Überblick. Dieser Denkhut sammelt Gesagtes und achtet darauf, dass alle Köpfe gehört werden. Schon allein deswegen hat dieser Hut überall Augen und Ohren. Idee/ Umsetzung der Maske: Ekaterina Sommer © Maren Jung
What material has JoDDiD developed?
At JoDDiD, we have developed large "mask hats" that you can use to carry out the thinking hat method. Because we ask ourselves what it would be like if we enriched the method a little more - aesthetically. For example, what difference would detailed "hats" - or rather masks - make to the implementation of the method? If we assume that the hats are the central element of de Bono's method, then it is actually surprising that they are usually represented by small party hats or colored index cards. So together with the Dresden University of Fine Arts (HFBK Dresden), we have developed thinking hats in the form of masks that represent the perspective from which to speak.
In our opinion, the value of materials and the design of spaces also have a significant influence on learning processes. Our large, colorful "mask hats" reinforce the respective role/perspective and also facilitate a change of perspective between the hats and a subsequent exit from the role when the thinking hat is taken off again. For more information on implementation, take a look at our HOW TO DENKHÜTE.
You can also download supporting name badges for the thinking hats in PDF format. Your participants can then wear these, for example, depending on their perspective, making it easier for everyone to understand from which perspective they are currently speaking. Please not the material is only provided in german.
Maskenbildstudierende improvisieren zu Beginn des Produktionsprozesses Denkhüte aus Papiertüten
As you can see, in our case, these are more likely to be "thinking heads" in the form of masks than hats. They can easily be placed on the head due to their helmet attachment on the inside. The participants can then speak directly out of them and put themselves in their shoes almost as if they were playing a role. Alternatively, the masks can also sit on a person's lap or be positioned around the room. This variant is particularly suitable if not just one person in the group discussion is to take on one of the six perspectives, but small groups are given this task.
In any case, we recommend a joint approach phase to the thinking hats. What does each perspective mean for finding a solution? It is then a good idea to look at each of the borrowed thinking hats with all participants and collect recognizable details that speak for the respective perspective that the thinking hat will adopt. So: What recognizable features of the mask speak for their perspective? You can also find suggestions for this in the picture gallery above. For example, the structuring person has eyes and ears in all directions in order to be able to perceive and organize what all participants are saying. The Reinforcer is designed in fluffy, optimistic yellow and looks through rose-colored glasses that only allow her to see opportunities and advantages with regard to the problem being discussed. In order to acquire the thinking hats 2.0 for the de Bono method, it makes sense to take the time to discover these details together.
Am Ende des Projekts sind die professionell produzierten "Denkhüte" fertig
Information on borrowing
For political educators in Saxony, ordering and borrowing materials is free of charge. All relevant information on ordering can be found under Ordering information. Please bear in mind that our thinking caps are sensitive material that should be handled with care. Please also ask for the exact lending conditions in our store mail.
Do you find borrowing them too inconvenient, or are the thinking hats currently out of stock? Then we have something for you: The thinking hats are now also available as practical buttons (diameter 8 cm) and can be ordered free of charge.
Click here for the material
We would be delighted if you would be prepared to make a brief telephone call after using the thinking hats method to tell us about your use of the material and your impressions. This will help us to develop further JoDDiD materials, which will in turn be available to extracurricular political educators in Saxony in the future.