Brainstorming Techniques

Write a series of questions or topics on separate sheets of paper.

Divide students into small groups (3-5) and have each group stand in front of a sheet  of paper.

Assign a role to each group member, e.g., recorder, encourager, monitor, etc. and assign each group a question.

Ask each group to discuss its ideas/responses to the question. Responses are written down on the chart by the recorder.

After a specified time, each group rotates to the next sheet of paper, reads the ideas and adds additional ideas. Be sure to rotate the role of recorder.

Continue until all groups have visited each paper.

Participants then walk around the room reading all of the posted ideas.

Each individual writes down an idea for action.

Participants pair off to share their ideas and agree on one.

Participants form groups of six to share their ideas an agree on one .

Post the ideas for discussion.

Divide students into small groups.

Individuals in each group write down their ideas on index cards or Post-It Notes.

Each group organizes its ideas into themes and shares with other groups.

Divide a piece of paper into three columns: K W L

Prior to a learning activity, ask the group to share what they already know about the topic and jot down the ideas in the “K” column. The group then categorizes the ideas.

Next the group is asked what they would like to know about the topic and to write down these ideas in the “W” column. The group then categorizes the ideas.

After the learning activity, the group is asked to reconsider what they have under the “K” column. Did they discover that any of their ideas were inaccurate?

The group then shares what they have learned and that information is added to the “L” column.

Compare the W and L columns. If there are things that the group wanted to learn and didn’t, ask for suggestions on how they might learn those things. This information can be added to a fourth column that is called “H” for how we can learn more.

Pose a problem or question to the group as a whole.

Divide the group into smaller groups of 4-8.

Each subgroup is given several pads of Post-it Notes.

Allow each student a few minutes to generate ideas in response to the focus questions or problem. Students should record each idea on a separate note.

Table members are asked to share their ideas and cluster them into similar categories and post them on chart paper. They should label each category.

The groups will then rotate clockwise around the tables, viewing each group’s display (chart). Tell them they will have several minutes at each station and that you will signal when it is time to move to the next station.

After touring all the stations, the groups return to their tables to discuss what they have learned from the other groups.

Students spend a few minutes thinking about and jotting down responses to a question or problem.

Students form pairs to discuss their responses.

Each pair summarizes and shares its comments with the entire class.