For the Speculative Futures Assignment, all students will provide feedback on the narratives submitted by their peers.

We will be using a technique called “4-Hat Feedback”.

This approach to feedback is based on De Bono’s concept of Six Thinking Hats. De Bono identified six unique lenses or approaches to critical thinking (each a different coloured hat) and argues that deliberately focusing on one lens allows you to generate more useful and focused critical thoughts and improve communication. I have adapted his Six Thinking Hats into 4-Hat Feedback.

4-Hat Feedback for Speculative Futures Transcript

For your final assignment, you will put on each of the following hats twice (2x) and provide feedback to your peers using different lenses.

  • Provide feedback in Padlet by posting comments on eight (8) submissions
  • Each post will use one lens:
    • 2 posts will be Yellow Hat feedback
    • 2 posts will be Black Hat feedback
    • 2 posts will be Red Hat feedback
    • 2 posts will be Green Hat feedback
  • Comments shouldn’t be more then 2-4 sentences, but should demonstrate critical thought about the submission.
  • Choose submissions that haven’t received many comments yet.
  • All feedback must be posted by Sunday, July 30th

 

A yellow hat

Yellow Hat feedback is positive and focuses on benefits and value. For this type of feedback, you will reflect on the strengths of the submission. When you wear the yellow hat, you don’t just have complimentary opinions, but base those opinions on specific observations of why something was successful or done well.

 

A black hat

Black Hat feedback is cautious and critical. For this type of feedback, you will critically reflect on omissions, implausibilities, or points of confusion. Wearing the black hat does not grant you permission to be rude or disrespectful, but gives you an opportunity to constructively identify areas that need to be rethought or revised.

 

A red hatRed Hat feedback focuses on emotions and making feelings visible. For this type of feedback, share how the work made you feel about the subject. With the red hat, you are not required to justify or explain your emotions. Logic need not apply. (You might also consider using images, GIFs, emojis or other non-text language for this type of feedback).

 

A green hatGreen Hat feedback focuses on generative thought, growth and creativity. For this type of feedback, you will ask a question that seeks to provoke critical reflection and the generation of new ideas. Maybe ask why a certain decision was made or a certain image was chosen, or ask speculative questions like “what if…?”. You can open up more possibilities through green hat feedback.