Six Hats in Second Life: Enhancing Preservice Teacher Learning in a Virtual World

Abstract

A well known teaching and learning strategy for teachers is Edward de Bono's 'Six Thinking Hats'. Our research examined the engagement and understanding of first year preservice teachers being taught the theory and practice of this strategy through both on-campus and Second Life (virtual) workshops. In both workshops, the six thinking hats were used to judge student response to the use of this approach in their teaching. This pilot study provides insights into the use of virtual worlds for teaching and learning. The paper clarifies methodological issues such as why the Six Thinking Hats were used and the controls that were put in place between real life and Second Life workshops. The results, the challenges that were encountered, the future plans for virtual classrooms, particularly in the area of distance education, and whether this study can be generalised beyond preservice teacher education is discussed.