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The Thinking Hats

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Providing Balanced Feedback:  Using the Thinking Hats

The Orange Hat:

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  • Act like a reporter
  • Focus on just the facts
  • New information needed
  • Ask who, what, where, when, why, & how questions

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Providing Balanced Feedback:  Using the Thinking Hats

The Yellow Hat:

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  • The optimist
  • Consider the positives
  • Identify strengths 
  • Find the value or benefit

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Providing Balanced Feedback:  Using the Thinking Hats

The Green Hat:

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  • The creative hat
  • Looks for opportunities
  • Suggests new ideas
  • Consider alternatives

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Providing Balanced Feedback:  Using the Thinking Hats

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The Red Hat:

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  • The emotional hat
  • Express your gut reactions
  • Express fears, concerns, excitements, and intuitions

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Providing Balanced Feedback:  Using the Thinking Hats

The Blue Hat:

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  • The pessimist
  • Consider challenges & potentials for failure
  • Look for dangers & difficulties

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Students can use this method in:

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  • Full group setting:
    • Every student could have their own hat and provide feedback on information that is set up in a gallery walk format
  • Small group setting:
    • Divide hats up amongst each group
    • Each group member wears a different hat
  • Individual setting:
    • Given a hat / more than one hat to provide feedback to a partner’s work