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One of the most effective forms of brainstorming is very structured - which
seems a bit of a contradiction in terms!
Students take a blank sheet of paper and one only pen or pencil. Working ON
THEIR OWN each person records as many ideas about culture as they can.
It is important to set a time limit - two minutes is about right - on the
process. Encourage students to get any and every idea down regardless of
spelling, apparent appropriateness etc. Stress that it should NOT be neat!
Next have students share their ideas in pairs. Highlight ideas that they
have in common; add each others' ideas to their own sheets using a different
coloured pen or pencil. Again set a time limit - and stick to it.
Now combine ideas in a group or whole class discussion. Rather than simply
record ideas haphazardly on the board or on an OHT set up a
Donut
diagram (a form of attribute web). This encourages
discussion as students put forward their ideas and suggest which category or
categories their suggestions might best fit. It also allows the teacher to
identify gaps and fill them in accordingly!
This material has been produced by UNITEC Institute of Technology
under contract to the Ministry of Education.
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