Brainstorming The Building Block of Diverging Tools Purpose

Brainstorming The Building Block of Diverging Tools

Purpose of Brainstorming § Originally developed by Alex Osborn, brainstorming is the best-known and most employed creative problem-solving technique. § The aim is to have a group of people generate a variety of possible solutions for a particular issue.

Before you begin… § It is crucial to create an environment where people feel safe and comfortable sharing their ideas. § It is also important to establish the four basic ground rules: § Defer judgment § Strive for quantity § Encourage novelty § Build on the ideas of others.

Defer Judgment § This is the most important of all ground rules! § All ideas should be accepted without judgment. All possibilities should be explored. § Preliminary training to master this ability may be needed before starting.

Strive for Quantity § You must aim for a large number of ideas generated. § The first ideas generated are usually the easy, obvious possibilities. § The greater the number of ideas, the more likely the ideas produced will be novel and useful.

Encourage Novelty § Freewheel: don’t hold back any ideas, even if they seem “wild” or “silly”. § These “crazy” ideas can pave the way for other original and powerful ideas.

Build on the Ideas of Others § Seek connections between ideas by piggybacking or hitchhiking off the ideas of others. § Ideas can be improved upon and new, useful ideas can be built this way.

Brainstorming Tips

Sight lines are important § Make sure that participants can see each other and the ideas that are being posted

Small groups § Ideal group size is 5 -8 people § If working with a large group, organize participants into sub-groups

Clarify § Before beginning, make sure the task, question, or issue is clear to participants § Allow time for questions

Check in with the client § After every 15 to 20 responses, check with the client to be sure the ideas are going in the direction he or she needs

Readable, concise, specific § Responses need to be large enough for participants to read § Statements need to be concise § Ideas need to be specific

Diversity § Having a diverse group of participants usually brings different perspectives to the brainstorming session

Number of responses § 30 -50 responses is a good goal. The first responses are usually the familiar ones.

Freshness § Brainstorming should be used when fresh ideas are needed. § Don’t use brainstorming to review old ideas

Format § Brainstorming can be used with or without post-its § A recorder can write ideas directly on chart paper as they are called out § Post-its usually keep the process moving more quickly

Brainstorming Tips

Sight lines are important § Make sure that participants can see each other and the ideas that are being posted

Small groups § Ideal group size is 5 -8 people § If working with a large group, organize participants into sub-groups

Clarify § Before beginning, make sure the task, question, or issue is clear to participants § Allow time for questions

Check in with the client § After every 15 to 20 responses, check with the client to be sure the ideas are going in the direction he or she needs

Readable, concise, specific § Responses need to be large enough for participants to read § Statements need to be concise § Ideas need to be specific

Diversity § Having a diverse group of participants usually bring different perspectives to the brainstorming session

Number of responses § 30 -50 responses is a good goal. The first responses are usually the familiar ones.

Freshness § Brainstorming should be used when fresh ideas are needed. § Don’t use brainstorming to review old ideas

Format § Brainstorming can be used with or without post-its § A recorder can write ideas directly on chart paper as they are called out § Post-its usually keep the process moving more quickly

Application §How the heck do I use it in school?

How the heck do I use it? § How do I use it in the Classroom? § How can I use it to become a better teacher? § How can technology be integrated with brainstorming?

Social Studies Topics § Immigration § War § Civilizations § Colonization § Culture § Socialism § Communism § Capitalism § Democracy

How does it look? § http: //groupzap. com/b/bk 8 udinzq 9 aq/

Reading § http: //padlet. com/wall/ahz 2 w 7 m 54 w

How can it help you plan? § To plan effectively we need to make clear boundaries between objectives and activities. § The objective can be met in many different ways. § That’s where brainstorming comes in.

Objective § Students will be able use strong adjectives and verbs in their writing. § http: //groupzap. com/b/cpw 596 gxgxue/

Thank you! § Carolyn Corrigan § Jairo Funez § Carla Rodríguez