(Wk2, T1, 2015) EDSE12024: Digital Pedagogies in Secondary Schools.

Reflection 1: De Bono's Hats/Mobile Phones wikispaces activity.

Whilst I have observed similar thinking hats activities previously this was the first time I have participated digitally. I feel that the digital presentation of this activity on a wiki promotes increased engagement from 21^st century learners in a variety of ways. The scaffolding used within this activity can be seen to stimulate both higher and lower order thinking skills when completed correctly, as it walks learners through the thinking processes outlined in both Bloom’s Taxonomy and SAMR. This activity can also be seen to include whole groups of learners regardless of social, digital or academic ability as this wiki features a simple layout and is relatively self-explanatory. I believe that the potential benefits of participating in a wiki like this are enormous. However, it should be noted that the level of participation in this style of activity must be monitored, as there is opportunity for participants to only contribute the bare minimum response. Participating in this activity has highlighted to me that the use of ICT, in this case a wiki based activity, removes many traditional constraints such as; distance, time, speed and efficiency along with a multitude of cultural, social, and economic barriers. This activity encourages learners to view multiple perspectives around a particular topic in an efficient and interactive way. Reflecting on this activity brings me to the conclusion that the use of ICT in learning is not just beneficial but essential in the 21^st century.