When trying to create the right atmosphere for creativity, it’s a great idea to start with setting up some simple rules for what you do do and what you don’t do. Brainstorming is easy, providing you create the right space and everyone is on the same page when it comes to managing the process.
Rule 1 PUT IT OUT THERE
Brainstorming is all about risk taking. If you don’t put your ideas out there, they just won’t happen. So take a risk and share even the craziest ideas, as there is no telling how far they can go.
Rule 2 DON’T JUDGE IT
Judgement is arch enemy of brainstorming. Every time you pause to evaluate an idea you kill the creative flow (and irritate the people who are putting their ideas out there). There is no room for NO’s, BUT’s or HOW’s when brainstorming (but don’t worry there is always time to evaluate later)
Rule 3 QUANTITY not QUALITY
Since not all your ideas will be amazing, collecting as many ideas as you can get your hands on is really important. The more ideas you have, the better chance you will have a finding some amazing ideas
Rule 4 CAPTURE IT
Ever had a brainstorming session when you can’t remember most of the ideas that he group came up with? That can only happen if you are not capturing the ideas. Why not write them down and then you will not only be able to remember all your ideas, but also refer back to them any time you like
To successfully brainstorm, be clear on what you are having ideas about, set the rules in place for the discussion you are going to have, and then go a little crazy.
Gary
Hi Jason
Interesting post on this one. As you say, the key is to set the tone or the ground rules so everyone can see this is ‘curve ball time’ and we try to table and not rate anything.It is all about celebrating the free fluid flow of thoughts.
I think we need to mix brainstorming up a little though. It is such an overused strategy in schools. In addition to your comments I think:
1) Getting others to participate is key. Students can tune out and so sometimes I get them to table their thoughts initially and write them on something then bring them to the table to talk. That way, everyone contributes and is heard.
2) A variation on this is after some thinking time, in groups the students go around in a clockwise direction to table their thoughts and after the first or second round are able to say ‘pass.’
3) A visible capture of the thoughts is essential. It honours contribution and allows you to generate further ideas and discussion with students.
4) Students need to know that brainstorming is a link to their prior knowledge, connecting to other new ideas as well as being a celebration of new ones. I think students need to see the purpose of the brainstorm and how they can use it.
5) One way of ‘stepping a brainstorm up’ a bit more is to ask the students “why do you think that or what surprises you about… This is the bridge to building understanding by modelling the idea that a reason can often change an idea. An audit if you like of what their view is and perhaps why they hold it.
6) For me, the key is the next step. From this loose conglomeration of ideas, what next? Leaving it at a brainstorm is the risk because it is where to go from here that is important. Check out the visible thinking site from Harvard for some great ideas on routines that expand on the brainstorm concept.
Gary:-)
Lisa
Hi Gary,
Thanks for your feedback, there are lots of different ways to brainstorm (and people should use whatever techniques feel right at the time) but we have found that all need to have some groundrules in order to be successful. I love your third point that capture is essential which is why we often get everyone writing/drawing on a shared piece of paper and yelling out their ideas as they hit the page – it’s fun, energetic and also fixes the problem with people who don’t write all the ideas down. I agree that where you take your ideas after the brainstorm is critical, but in order to have enough ideas to fuel whatever process you use, the brainstorming phase needs to be standalone otherwise people start evaluating or designing or a level of planning that is counterproductive. I think it is great that you are mixing it up with creative thinking techniques, and if you are after some more there is a great book called “Thinkertoys” by Michael Michalko.
Regards,
Lisa