Is there something you’re working on with your students that could benefit from creative ideas? If so, that’s an excellent opportunity to run a brainstorming session.
Brainstorming is a wonderful tool for thinking divergently and coming up with creative solutions to various problems. Introducing your students to it can give them a valuable skill that they’ll use long after they have left the school system.
PConveniently, it takes just 15-20 minutes to teach and execute, and it works even better when done online (handy for these quarantine times). If that sounds like something worth trying, read on and we’ll walk you through the steps to effectively implement brainstorming, whether your students are in the classroom or learning remotely from home.
Before You Begin
The only materials you’ll need is a Google Sheet that all your students can access on their Chromebooks or iPads. The best time to share it, to avoid distraction, is at the end of step 2.
Step 1: Determine the Driving Question
Before you get into the whys and hows of brainstorming, talk to your class about the problem that you are trying to solve. What is the driving question you are aiming to answer?
Step 2: Quick Intro and Setup
Give them a brief introduction to brainstorming and provide the technical instructions they need to complete the task. This would also be the time to share your Google Sheet with them. It should look something like this:
Before writing down their idea, they should write their name in the column next to it first. This serves two purposes: to avoid accidentally writing over each other, and if you need further elaboration on an idea once the session is over, you know whom to ask.
Step 3: Lay down the Law
There are a couple of important rules in a brainstorming session that you should share with your students. You can also keep them prominently displayed somewhere -- whether on a whiteboard or PowerPoint -- whatever works for you. Now, on to the rules:
1. Write down every idea.
2. Go for quantity, not quality. In fact, crazy ideas are encouraged! They might spark an idea in someone else and lead to amazing solutions.
3. Build on each other’s ideas.This is where brainstorming online has a major advantage over the sticky note version people are more familiar with. Everyone can clearly see what everyone else is writing down and use it for inspiration.
4. No judgment. There is a reason that you cannot effectively write and edit at the same time, and the same applies to brainstorming. There will be plenty of time to evaluate the ideas after the session is over, but during the session you want to access your creativity -- that’s why there’s no room for censorship.
Step 4: Brainstorm!
Set a timer. The best length of time will depend on the complexity of the problem. We suggest 5 minutes to start, but you can make it a couple of minutes longer if the challenge is detailed or students need some time to get used to the process. Then sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Step 5: Time to Converge
Set a timer. The best length of time will depend on the complexity of the problem. We suggest 5 minutes to start, but you can make it a couple of minutes longer if the challenge is detailed or students need some time to get used to the process. Then sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
One popular way to vote is using tokens. Everyone gets a certain number of tokens (let’s say 7) and they can choose how to distribute them among their favorite ideas. That might look something like this:
Naming a class pet is a simple example and brainstorming is great for resolving these types of challenges. It also adapts well to a wide array of problems to be solved or questions to be pondered. Give it a try the next time your class needs to choose a service project or field trip location. Use it to generate thoughtful discussions on big ideas, like “What is a ‘successful’ life?” and “Is animal testing ethical?” Try brainstorming to boost critical thinking around historical topics, literary characters, ethical dilemmas in science and medicine -- and so much more.
Happy brainstorming! If you have any thoughts on the topic, please leave us a comment. We’d love to hear from you!
