Suggestion 72. Try brainstorming techniques

IF YOU WANT TO:

• Encourage class discussion

• Help students prepare for an analytical or critical discussion

Using brainstorming as a technique.

Brainstorming is a method which can be particularly effective in getting students to consider all of the possible causes, consequences, solutions, reasons or contributing factor to some phenomenon. The rules are very simple. Students are encourage to contribute ideas rapidly and each idea is written down on the blackboard. During the formation of the list no idea is to be questioned or criticized by any member of the class. Spontaneity and inventiveness are to be encouraged. Only after a set period of time (ten minutes, for example) or when the group has pretty well exhausted its ideas is an analytical or critical discussion of the ideas permitted.

"Posting" is a variation on "brainstorming" in which two or more columns are labeled on the board. These might be "pros" and "cons" of an issue or "possible causes," "consequences" and "interactions" of a phenomenon or event. Again, criticism of ideas is postponed until a later period to encourage spontaneity and creativity.

Limitations on Use of Suggestion

  Discipline:  Subjects which lend themselves to creative problem-
               solving
Course Level:  None
 Course Size:  None
        Mode:  None

Copyright 1983 by the Regents of the University of California

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