• Journal of The Korean Association of Information Education
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.107-121
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to develop online synchronous discussion tool based on De Bono's six thinking hats and to investigate availability and improvements of the tool. Analysis of previous studies about synchronous online discussion and six thinking hats and development of design strategies from 3C model, communication, coordination, cooperation, were done. Six thinking hats online synchronous discussion tool was developed and applied four times for 5 weeks in the 'fundamentals of computer science' course of college students majored in computer science. Qualitative data from open-ended survey and reflection paper of students, and field note of participant researchers were analyzed. As a result, six thinking hats online synchronous discussion tool facilitated student's interaction and communication in the aspect of communication, coordination, and cooperation of 3C model. However, some improvements are needed to overcome the limits of text-based online communication and to use six thinking hats online synchronous discussion tool as a tool to promote structured interaction and communication.