BRAINSTORMINGIn the Classroom

Matt Garrett

WHAT IS BRAINSTORMING?To produce an idea or way of solving a problem by holding a spontaneous

group discussion.

WHAT IS BRAINSTORMING?• Brainstorming is a group process for

generating new ideas• Brainstorming is "a conference technique

by which a group attempts to find a solution for a specific problem by amassing all the ideas spontaneously by its members" - Alex Osborn• Brainstorming is using a set of specific

rules and techniques to encourage new ideas from previous knowledge to form about a new topic

WHAT IS BRAINSTORMING?

•Getting a group of people together to bounce ideas off of each other regarding one single topic. • These ideas are thrown into a melting pot and stirred around.• All of the old knowledge being thrown around the room sparks new knowledge on the topic at hand.

BRAINSTORMING IN THE CLASSROOM•Aids the learning process•Boosts academic performance•Students use previous knowledge to learn a new topic•Encourages listening to others•Engages students in discussion

BRAINSTORMING IN THE CLASSROOM•Encourages self-learning•Promotes thinking skills• Is interactive •Promotes free generation of ideas•Build on other students ideas

BRAINSTORMING IN THE CLASSROOM•Difficult to control the flow of ideas in multiple groups•Difficult to dictate the course of conversation•One student may take on entire workload

BRAINSTORMING IN THE CLASSROOM•Students can “hide” in the group discussion•Students may feel inhibited by peers•Can easily lead to criticism•Taking turns in discussion is time consuming

INCORPORATE BRAINSTORMINGA single group discussion where all students participate and the teacher records all ideas

• Easy to control and dictate the conversation

• Students must speak aloud to the entire class

INCORPORATE BRAINSTORMINGDivide class into several groups or pairs of students each with the same topic. Consider using different subtopics

• Students are in a smaller group, or even with a friend they are comfortable talking with

• Less control over topics and conversations

INCORPORATE BRAINSTORMINGHave students write thoughts on a card and pass it to the next student

• Students may be more apt to write rather than speak aloud

• Can be time consuming

INCORPORATE BRAINSTORMINGCarousel Brainstorming

https://youtu.be/b0dBCPxJHlg

• Different subtopics are placed around the room• Students add their thoughts to their own subtopic• Students then “carousel” around the room to the

next subtopic

Carousel Brainstorming in detail

TO USE OR NOT TO USE…Each class will respond differentlyEach student will respond differentlyEach day will be different from the last

“It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one” –Alex Osborn ‘The Father of brainstorming’

RESOURCEShttp://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2012/04/11/fp_graham.html

http://www.teacherplus.org/2008/october/brainstorming-in-the-classroom

https://k12teacherstaffdevelopment.com/tlb/how-can-i-facilitate-brainstorming-in-the-classroom

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http://www.howtolearn.com/2012/04/how-to-use-brainstorming-in-the-classroom/