Learning Tools

These learning tools will assist the children to achieve the set task related to this module.

De Bono's Six Hats

Brainstorm

Affinity Diagram

Multi-Voting

De Bono's Six Hats

White Hat Finding out the facts.

Yellow Hat What are the positives?

Green Hat What are the alternatives?

Red Hat Our thoughts and our feelings about the topic.

Black Hat What are the negatives or problems that may arise?

Blue Hat Thinking about thinking.

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Brainstorm

Is the procedure that allows a number of people to express problem areas, ideas, solutions or needs. It allows each participant to state their opinion in a non-threatening environment.

Process:

1. The objective of the brainstorming process is clearly stated and written for all to see.
2. Each person in the team is given the opportunity to identify at least one idea at a time.
3. Each person, if they don't have an idea, has the option to "pass" when its their turn to contribute.
4. All ideas are good ideas and each idea is written as presented.
   A recorder can ask for clarification of an idea in order to correctly record the suggestion.
5. The recorder writes down each idea on a flip chart or board so everyone can see the accumulation of ideas.
6. People can create new ideas based on another person's brainstorming efforts.

The Affinity Diaram is an interactive data collection method which allows groups of people, in a short time frame, to identify and sort large quantities of ideas. Affinity means likeness or close relationship.

 Process:

1. Clearly define and write the topic for the session at the top of the flip chart. All team members individually brainstorm ideas relating to the question or topic.
2. As brainstorming takes place individuals silently write each idea on a sticky note and place it in front of them. Place only one idea on each piece of paper.
3. Team members randomly place ideas on the topic flip chart.
4. Team members, as a group, silently place ideas in like catergories.
5. Finally, label the idea for each catergory by writing it on the flip chart.

Multi-Voting is a process of selecting the most important item for discussion. A series of votes are taken where each vote decreases the list by eliminating the items with the fewest votes.

Process:

1. Decide the aim of the session.
2. Brainstorm to compile a list of items.
3. Provide each participant with sticky dots to use as votes. Provide each participant with sticky dots equal to one third the total number of issues to prioritise. If less than ten issues give each participant three dots.

One "hot dot", usually red is designated. The hot is an individual's most important or "hot" issue. Each team member places their dots by the items they are voting for, using the hot dot for the item which is the hottest issue for the voter.