Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a creative process where knowledge is quickly generated and connected.
Depending on the needs of the learning activity, brainstorming can be:
- structured or unstructured
- narrowly focused or general
- collaborative or individual.
The most common form of group brainstorming is to collaboratively explore understanding of a single theme and to creatively generate ideas.
The three most important strategies in using brainstorming for this purpose are to:
- aim for quantity of ideas rather than quality at the beginning
- allow any idea to be recorded, with critical review and elimination of ideas at a later stage
- encourage thinking out-of-the-box and novel ideas
Brainstorming sessions have common pitfalls, including group-think, reliance on conventional ideas, idea stagnation, some students dominating the discussion and social anxiety of group members. These pitfalls can be overcome through planning, preparation and practice.
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Example 1
Students are placed in groups and choose the most interesting topic from the current module. Students brainstorm the reasons why the topic is interesting and how the topic could be expressed clearly to others. Student groups then present their favourite topics and summaries to the class.
Example 2
Students are placed in a group and given a case study to evaluate. The student groups begin their analysis with a brainstorming session, listing the theory and practices that may be related to the case study. The ideas can be grouped and ranked to determine which areas are most important and most difficult. The process allows for a formative evaluation of student understanding and for students to show creativity and collaboration in their approach to the case study.