INTRODUCTION:pm440.pbworks.com/f/Ideation_Exercises+V1.0.doc · Web viewINTRODUCTION: Ideation is a...

[PM 440 – Collaborative Authoring & Ideation Team Review Paper – Part B] October 24, 2010

INTRODUCTION:

Ideation is a method of idea generation and communicating, which many corporate

offices have recently developed into strategies to incorporate into their current work

environments.

Ideation can be termed as the process by which new ideas are generated. This creative

process allows teams to collaborate, develop and communicate new innovative ideas to the

company. These ideas can be visual, abstract or concrete. Ideation encompasses a litany of

creativity techniques used to elicit more ideas. These methods promote original thought and

usually include the usage of games, toys, or exercises to convey the point of the idea generation

exercise. Examples of these techniques can include white boarding, brainstorming, mind

mapping or therapeutic/improvisational problem solving.

Ideation helps teams come up with new ideas for their company or project advancements

yet it also helps team compile major pieces of a project within a timely manner allowing each

team member the ability to contribute to the overall success of the end goal objective.

EXERCISES FOR IDEATION – There are several types we will focus on 5 as seen below:

Brain Walking Magazine Rip and Rap CollageThe Wish Technique Bill BoardingProblem Redefinition Whiteboarding20 Questions Idea NamingMind Mapping ScamperCarousel Brainstorming Lateral Thinking

PM 440 – Collaborative Authoring & Ideation | Submission: Camille M. Mitchell 1Team: Jose Jimenez, Joe Howerton, & Yousuf Azhar


Mind Mapping

Mindmapping has been popularized by Tony Buzan, a top lecturer on the brain and learning, who dictates that Mind Maps abandon the list format of conventional note taking. According to Buzan, “a Mind Map is a thinking tool that reflects (externally) what is going on (internally) inside our minds.” Further, Buzan likens the mind map to a Swiss army knife for the brain; with different tools for our brain to function, the Mind Map is the ideal tool for anything we want to do in terms of,

● Thinking● Contemplation● Cognition● Remembering● Creating

Buzan proclaims,“The brain is radiant, meaning it thinks centrally, and explodes out in all directions.” As such, in a Mind Map, branches are curved and tapered rather than straight-lined, they are organic and free flowing, as opposed to structured and uniformed. “The brain thinks by imagination and association, thus the branches on a Mind Map are a reflection of the way the brain thinks. So, when you think of anything, you have your picture, and you have your associations off that.”

“Buzan asserts, “Traditional note-taking in lists and lines is counter-productive is because it doesn’t have the associations. If you don’t have associations, then you don’t have connections. If you don’t have connections, then you don’t have memory or thinking. In a Mind Map the branches are always curved, curvilinear, because nature is curvilinear. If all the branches are straight, it is literally rigid, similar, and therefore, boring. The brain will very quickly become unhappy with a whole bunch of rigid straight lines. The brain gets absorbed and intrigued by the beauty of curvilinear.”

Buzan touts Mind Maps as “straightforward and fun” To draw a Mind Map first start in the center of a blank page, then connect branches to the central key image or key word; and then connect 2nd and 3rd level branches to the 1st and the 2nd and so on. The important point to note in structuring Mind Maps is to use one key word per branch. “That one word with all its associations is “free.” If you put words together on a branch you’re making it more rigid. The single word per line approach gives you much more freedom, much more creativity, much more clarity. Ideally, the length of the word should be the length of the branch; because you want each branch to be connected and close.”The PurposeThis strategy helps participants quickly relate a central word or concept. The mind forms associations almost instantaneously and 'mapping' allows you to write your ideas more quickly by using only words or phrases.

How to Mind Map



To make a mind map, start in the center of the page with the main idea, and work outward in all directions, producing a growing and organized structure composed of key words and key images.

● Take a large sheet of paper and place it horizontally in front of you.● Draw a reasonably sized (colored) memorable central image that represents the topic you

are going to be mapping.● Draw at least 4 thick organic looking branches radiating outwards from the central

image. Make sure to use a different color to represent each branch.● Write “key topic” words along these branches that represent the central image and the

topic you are mapping.● Draw additional branches that extend from your main branches. The words on these

branches are essentially sub-topics of the words you wrote on your main branches.● Keep expanding the Mind Map outwards with additional sub sub-topics / key words and

branches.

An Example Mind Map: Grouping Materials

Key features are: ● Organization ● Key Words ● Association ● Create Connections● Clustering ● Visual Memory - Print the key words, use color, symbols, icons, 3D-effects,arrows and

outlining groups of words ● “Outstandingness” - every Mind Map needs a unique center ● Conscious involvement



The Benefits of Mind Mapping● Improved capacity to see the bigger picture.● Improved capacity to see detailed information.● Improved capacity to remember complex information.● Improved capacity to remember related chunks of information.● Improved capacity to cope with mental clutter.● Improved capacity to cope and manage periods of information overload.● Improved imagination.● Improved memory and retention.● Improved levels of concentration.● Improved note-taking ability.● Improved level of interest in the content or subject one is studying.● Improved problem solving ability.● Improved management of study and revision time for Academics.● Helps unlock hidden understandings within information chunks.● Helps unlock unexpected creative insights and ideas.● Helps save time.● Helps make learning fun.● Clarifies goals.● Clarifies plans of action.● Clarifies ideas.● Clarifies habitual patterns of thinking.● Triggers creative associations.● Triggers comparison of facts, stats, data and ideas.● And much more that is based upon personal experience, need and ability.

Mind Mapping for Work ProductivityHere are some ways people utilize visual mapping at work:• Planning sales strategy.• Planning marketing strategy.• Organizing and managing projects.• Organizing and managing meetings.• Preparing for networking.• Preparing for interviews, and conducting interviews.• Business planning.• Research and development.

Mind Mapping for Academic SuccessHere are some ways students utilize visual mapping at school:• Learning languages.• Learning grammar.• Preparing for examinations.• Preparing structure for essays.



• Preparing presentations.• For teaching purposes.• Brainstorming ideas.• Problem solving.• Thinking creatively and critically about topics.• Memorizing subject notes, books and materials.• For general study and revision of information.

Mind Mapping for Life ManagementHere are some ways people utilize visual mapping to manage their life:

• Managing time.• Managing events.• Goal setting.• Keeping a diary.• Holiday planning.• Financial planning.• Tracking important dates, events and information.

Mind Maps are useful for:● Summarizing information.● Consolidating information from different research sources.● Thinking through complex problems.● Presenting information in a format that shows the overall structure of your subject.● problem solving● outline/framework design● anonymous collaboration● marriage of words and visuals● individual expression of creativity● condensing material into a concise and memorable format● team building or synergy creating activity● enhancing work morale



ReferencesHow to Mind Map: A Beginner’s Guidehttp :// blog . iqmatrix . com / mind - map / how - to - mind - map - a - beginners - guide Mind Maphttp :// en . wikipedia . org / wiki / Mind _ map

What is Mind Mapping?http :// olc . spsd . sk . ca / DE / PD / instr / strats / mindmap / Mind Maps, A Powerful Approach to Note taking http :// www . mindtools . com / pages / article / newISS _01. htm What is Mind Mapping?http :// www . mindmapperusa . com / whats _ mindmapping . htm

Mind Mapping – Basic Ruleshttp :// www . teamwork . demon . co . uk / mind _ maps / mind _ basic . html Maximize the Power of Your Brain - Tony Buzan MIND MAPPING http :// www . youtube . com / v / MlabrWv 25 qQ ? fs =1& amp ; hl = en _ US

What is Mind Mapping? http :// www . youtube . com / v / WQj 7 pdwaggg ? fs =1& amp ; hl = en _ US Mind Mapshttp :// www . youtube . com / v /4 I 8 QaCeJZB 4& hl = en & fs =1& rel =0

How to Make a Mind Map – Version 1http :// www . youtube . com / watch ? v = v 8_ H 42 Z 9 wxA

Example of a Mind Maphttp://www.michaelonmindmapping.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/image/group_materials_mm.jpg

Magazine Rip and Rap Collaging

What is it?

Magazine Rip and Rap Collaging is an Ideation technique to help generate ideas. Magazine images and words are extracted and glued to paper in the form of a collage. (Matimore)


http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.iqmatrix.com%2Fmind-map%2Fhow-to-mind-map-a-beginners-guide&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNH1vs5qP8u5EqX46VSYssslGsmmjA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8_H42Z9wxA



















http://www.youtube.com/v/4I8QaCeJZB4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0






















http://www.youtube.com/v/WQj7pdwaggg?fs=1&hl=en_US























http://www.youtube.com/v/MlabrWv25qQ?fs=1&hl=en_US























http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.teamwork.demon.co.uk%2Fmind_maps%2Fmind_basic.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEcVO9G0LHALcU1YqPYk9LgNrkACw





















http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mindmapperusa.com%2Fwhats_mindmapping.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNExBwxlDof5gFBgWi3PZsplVAHA9A













http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mindtools.com%2Fpages%2Farticle%2FnewISS_01.htm&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNGsQRBJ4dF8YEM6ydaEdg1w2CmqKg















http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Folc.spsd.sk.ca%2FDE%2FPD%2Finstr%2Fstrats%2Fmindmap%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEMENBVjlu6Yf60ELR5C5kRVOS-Ew




















http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FMind_map&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEtAAd3yYlLKeS5aAQs0rGQOSruUA






































Why use it?The theory is that humans like images and are more able to initiate new concepts based on visual stimuli. (Buzan) (Matimore)

Facilitation Instructions for a group (Matimore)■ Break participants into teams of three■ Pass out magazines containing a lot of images to each team■ Pass out scissors, glue and something to paste images onto

(like large sheets of paper) to each team■ Identify the topic for all participants■ Ask each team to work with its own participants to cut out

any pictures or words that feel even remotely related to the topic. Then they should paste those onto the paper as they feel appropriate.

■ Remind participants not to criticize one another’s selections.■ They should add their own words, themes and images to the

collage to define relationships and tell a “story”.■ Give participants about 30 minutes to collage.■ Ask each team to present their collage to everyone else.■ Record new ideas the collage presentations generate.

Notice (Matimore)■ The exercise should be relaxing and fun for everyone■ Although time consuming, there should be a lot of new ideas

References

MATIMORE, BRYAN. 2008. Ideation Techniques. The Growth Engine Company, Norwalk, CT. http :// www . google . com / url ? sa = t & source = web & cd =1& ved =0 CBIQFjAA & url = http %3 A %2 F %2 Fwww . technologyforge . net %2 Fenma %2 F 6020%2 F 6020 Lectures %2 FIdeation %2 FENMA 291 IdeationReferences %2 FENMA 291 IdeationTechniques . pdf & rct = j & q = ideation %20 collaging & ei = LI - 3 TNOyGszGswag _ NjWBg & usg = AFQjCNH 3 ne _ wkwpBhhaR 52 emzTAQglRWdQ & sig 2= dU 91 N 9 dizZViwfNYQLj 6 Sw & cad = rja BUZAN, TONY. 1996. The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain's Untapped Potential. Plume, New York ,NY.

Background


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.technologyforge.net%2Fenma%2F6020%2F6020Lectures%2FIdeation%2FENMA291IdeationReferences%2FENMA291IdeationTechniques.pdf&rct=j&q=ideation%20collaging&ei=LI-3TNOyGszGswag_NjWBg&usg=AFQjCNH3ne_wkwpBhhaR52emzTAQglRWdQ&sig2=dU91N9dizZViwfNYQLj6Sw&cad=rja





































































































Lateral thinking is a phrase coined by Dr. Edward de Bono as a counterpoint to conventional or vertical thinking. Lateral Thinking refers to solving problems through an indirect and creative approach. Lateral thinking is about reasoning that is not immediately obvious and about ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic.

Edward de Bono was born in Malta in 1933. He attended St Edward's College, Malta, during World War II and then the University of Malta where he qualified in medicine. He proceeded, as a Rhodes Scholar, to Christ Church, Oxford, where he gained an honours degree in psychology and physiology and then a D.Phil in medicine. He also holds a Ph.D from Cambridge and an MD from the University of Malta. He has held appointments at the universities of Oxford, London, Cambridge and Harvard.

Dr Edward de Bono is one of the very few people in history who can be said to have had a major impact on the way we think. In many ways he could be said to be the best known thinker internationally.

He has written numerous books with translations into 34 languages (all the major languages plus Hebrew, Arabic, Bahasa, Urdu, Slovene, Turkish etc).

He has been invited to lecture in 52 countries around the world.

Lateral Thinking will teach you how to think creatively, turn problems into opportunities, find alternative solutions, & dramatically increase your number of new and practical ideas using unconventional thinking techniques normally untapped by our usual ways of thinking.

Lateral thinking is more concerned with the movement value of statements and ideas. A person would use lateral thinking when they want to move from one known idea to creating new ideas. Edward de Bono defines four types of thinking tools:

Idea generating tools that are designed to break current thinking patterns—routine patterns, the status quo

Focus tools that are designed to broaden where to search for new ideas Harvest tools that are designed to ensure more value is received from idea

generating output Treatment tools that are designed to consider real-world constraints, resources,

and support[1]

Benefits

It can help with brainstorming business ideas, whether they be new features, new products, new services, or enhancements on current offerings. It can help with your



marketing campaign, especially in social media and viral marketing, where clever and creative hooks can expand your reach exponentially.

It can help with your operations too. Take a look at your current distribution system. Or product development process. Or accounting system. Look at it from someone else’s perspective. Are there ways to improve those processes? If you tore down all preconceptions and assumptions, are there new alternatives you hadn’t considered before?

Constructively challenge Find and build on the concept behind an idea to create more ideas Solve problems in ways that don t initially come to mind Use alternatives to liberate and harness the creative energy of the organization Turn problems into opportunities Select the best alternate ideas and implement them

Not only people who devise strategy or work in R & D, but anyone who wants a disciplined process for innovation, idea generation, concept development, creative problem solving, or a strategy to challenge the status quo.

If you face fast-changing trends, fierce competition, and the need to work miracles, you need Lateral Thinking.

The Lateral Thinking Techniques

Alternatives: Use concepts to breed new ideas. Concepts are general ideas or general ways of doing things. Every concept has to be put into action through a specific idea. Thinking of a variety of specific ways to implement a concept is one way to generate ideas. Then each specific idea can be mined for additional concepts. Extracting a new concept creates a whole new pathway for generating further specific ideas.

Focus: Sharpen or change your focus to improve your creative efforts. This technique helps sharpen or change your perspective to improve your creative efforts. “Focus” is not commonly thought of as a tool, but it is. For example, you can learn to focus on areas that no one else has bothered to think about. Doing so may lead you to a breakthrough idea simply because you are the first person to pay any attention to this area.

Challenge: Break free from the limits of accepted ways of operating. This technique helps you break free from the limits of accepted ways of operating. Challenge is key to innovation because it is based on the assumption that there may be a different way to do something even if there is no apparent problem with the current way of doing it.



Random Entry: Use unconnected input to open new lines of thinking. This technique uses a randomly chosen word, picture, sound, or other stimulus to open new lines of thinking. This tool plays into the power of the human mind to find connections between seemingly unrelated things.

First, the person or group lists all the alternatives that they can think of without using the tool, Then they select a random word or other random stimulus. Then they juxtapose the stimulus alongside the focus topic and generate ideas to connect the two.

Provocation: Move from a provocative statement to useful ideas. This technique helps us move from a provocative statement to useful ideas.

Employees are often admonished to “think outside the box” with no instructions for how to do so. Provocation & Movement designate a formal process that enables you exit the box with ease—and return with a compelling list of innovative ideas to consider.

First participants learn the definition of a Provocation, or PO. Then they prepare for the uncomfortable fact that Provocations are deliberately unreasonable ideas that would be immediately vetoed by those who do not understand the process.

Harvesting: Select the best of early ideas and shape them into useable approaches. This technique is applied toward the end of a thinking session in order to bank ideas that may prove to be valuable in the current situation or in the future.

Harvesting both increases the number of ideas that are saved and provides a way to organize ideas by how developed they are at present. Harvesting helps you spot ideas that could be implemented right away as well as those that need more work. By Harvesting, you can avoid moving too quickly to choose among all of the ideas you’ve generated. Instead, take a longer look and make the most of the “yield.”

Treatment of Ideas: How to develop ideas and shape them to fit an organization or situation. This technique helps develop ideas and shape them to fit an organization or situation.

Treatment is particularly useful for working with Beginning Ideas to make them more specific and practical. One Treatment method is called Shaping. Here you think of any constraints that might interfere with the execution of the idea. Then you shape the idea to fit within these constraints.

Starters/Icebreakers

Four critical factors associated with lateral thinking:

recognize dominant ideas that polarize the perception of a problem



search for different ways of looking at thingsrelaxation of rigid control of thinking use of chance to encourage other ideas

Prior to the strategic planning process, it is useful to enable creative and lateral thinking

Exercises are for fun, but also help people expand their disciplinary boundaries

Word Expansion

IIN

GINGAIN

GRAINRATING

TRACINGCREATING

REDACTINGDEFRACTING

Exercise

How many squares can you see in this figure?

Answer

4 x 4 = 16



3 x 3 = 92 x 2 = 41 x 1 = 1Total 30

Connect the nine points below with four straight lines without lifting your pen or pencil from the paper.

O O O

O O O

O O O

Answers



O O O

O O O

O O O


Assumption: The lines must pass through the center of the dots. If you draw lines that just touch the dots, you can solve the puzzle in just three strokes.

Assumption: The lines must be thin. Connect the lines with one fat line to solve the problem.



Assumption: The paper must be flat. Roll the paper into a tube. It’s possible to connect the dots with a spiral.


Remove 2 matchsticks from this figure to make 2 squares remain

Answer


Assumption: You cannot rip the paper. Tear the paper into nine pieces with one dot on each, and connect all the dots by poking a hole through all the dots with your pencil.


How to Develop Your Lateral Thinking Skills

Lateral thinking is a special form of "thinking outside the box". Technically it is a way of intentionally coming at a topic or problem from a different point of view. But it also is creative way of thinking you can develop as a background habit.

As with anything you want to do well, the more you practice lateral thinking, the better you will be at it.Difficulty: ModerateInstructions

1. Emulate lateral thinkers.

A major part of lateral thinking is experience, and the first step of experience is seeing it in action. However, most of us don't notice when others are doing it. You have to pay attention and look for it. When someone comes up with surprising answers or seems to think differently from others, pay attention to what they say and do. You can ask them questions about how they come up with their answers, but even just noticing that they are doing it is the first step.

2. Study subjects you know nothing about, especially if they involve skills.

Part of lateral thinking is being able to get into another mindset. If you are used to numbers and spreadsheets, read about creative writing, or poets. If you are a poet you can benefit by reading about mathematicians and physicists. You don't have to become one, but when you open your mind to just learn about how others think -



what issues and problems and tools they use - you prepare your mind to think in different ways.

3. Practice your lateral thinking with creativity exercises.

Spend some time each week, or better yet each day, pushing your mental envelope. You can see some links to some creativity exercises in the resources section below, but you can also make up your own.

Lateral thinking in particular is all about bringing together things that are seemingly unrelated. So start with a topic or problem, and then find random objects or words or concepts to relate to the topic. Or you can push the envelope of your thinking in other ways by making a list of things that are outlandish versions of the problem or issue - exaggerate it, make it bigger or smaller. If something is straightforward and objective, like making coffee, find moral and emotional issues related to it. Get ridiculous, get silly. The key here is, though, to get DIFFERENT.

Use very exercise you find, but also invent your own. You need both outside and inside input to think in a lateral way.

4. Look for ways to apply what you learn in everyday life.

Lateral thinking, like any skill, takes time to learn. And as with any skill, you learn more by applying it to real problems than you do by just doing exercises. After you get good at the exercises, start collecting issues and problems in your real life to start thinking laterally about, and set aside time to think about it. It could be anything from your need to find more time to spend with your kids, to how to decide who to vote for, to how to get a promotion or better job

References

http://www.ehow.com/how_5058853_develop-lateral-thinking-skills.htmlhttp://www.edwdebono.com/debono/biograph.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_thinkinghttp://bizthoughts.mikelee.org/the-business-benefits-of-lateral-thinking.htmlhttp://www.training-classes.com/programs/00/66/6670_lateral_thinking.phphttp://www.debonoconsulting.com/lateral-thinking-alternatives.asp


http://www.debonoconsulting.com/lateral-thinking-alternatives.asp

http://www.training-classes.com/programs/00/66/6670_lateral_thinking.php

http://bizthoughts.mikelee.org/the-business-benefits-of-lateral-thinking.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_thinking

http://www.edwdebono.com/debono/biograph.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_5058853_develop-lateral-thinking-skills.html


Brain Walking (or Brain Writing) is a process by which each user writes down an idea and

then passes that idea to their neighbor who will then review the idea and build new ideas from

that original idea. The final set of ideas is posted for everyone to read and evaluate. This

method is used to generate ideas quickly between team members ensuring participation from the

entire group.

To facilitate this technique the following steps are used:

Step 1: The leader of the group will pass out a piece of paper or index card plus markers

to all participants.

Step 2: Then the leader will instruct each participant to write their idea but clearly so

other can read it.

Step 3: The leader will have each participant write down one idea for the assigned topic.

Step 4: Each participant will then pass this idea sheet to the immediate neighbor making

sure that the paper passes in the same direction. Each person who receives the idea sheet

will either, build on/evolve the idea written on the paper – or create an entirely new one.

This person will then record the new idea on the paper and then pass it to the immediate

neighbor once again.

Step 5: Each participant will continue passing until each idea sheet has five (or more)

ideas on it.

Step 6: Then each participant will pass the sheets back to the original owner. The original

idea owner’s handwriting will be at the top of the paper with all other ideas centered

underneath it.



Step 7: The leader will then have each participant read the best idea(s) from his paper to

the group as a whole.

Brain Writing utilizes a method of reviewing the input (as from each of the neighbors adding

their thoughts on the original idea) and contemplating the “output” of ideas (those ideas that

result from the first generation of ideas presented within the group). This movement of ideas

allows the original idea to get better with time. There are other methods that do not build upon

the original idea; rather they allow the original idea to remain static and unchanged. However

with Brain Writing, the ideas dynamically grow and change morphing into smaller yet better sets

of generated ideas.

Brain Walking Exercise Diagram

In this figure – The user group presents a large number of ideas which are filtered through the group review to ultimately generate a few number of solid ideas.


, 10/16/10,

Text too small? JUSTUS


Carousel Brainstorming

“When group members are given the opportunity to brainstorm ideas without criticism, to discuss opinions, to debate controversial issues, and to answer questions…wonderful things can happen that naturally improve comprehension and higher order thinking.” Marcia Tate, 2004

Carousel brainstorming is considered a Best Practice Ideation strategy that “informally assesses the knowledge of the participants and frames the learning around a particular focus, by thinking about subtopics within a broader topic. This is also known as Rotating Review, which is a variation of the Walkabout Review process.” The real value here is that all members of the group contribute to the discussion. A Carousel Brainstorm is good for generating large numbers of responses to questions or issues. This strategy can be used in any discipline. It is “an active, participant-centered method for generating and sharing large amounts of data. It provides scaffolding for new information to be learned or existing information to be reviewed through movement, conversation, and reflection.” Proponents of this process point out that “because this is somewhat anonymous, even the most reluctant learners are motivated to participate.”

A variation of this strategy is called graffiti — particularly if it has participants producing images as well as words. The difference is that with Graffiti, the sheets are posted on the wall, and the students move around from sheet to sheet. With Carousel Brainstorming, the students stay seated and the sheets are passed. Otherwise, it's hard to tell the difference.

A Carousel Brainstorm is usually about 45 minutes in length. The process begins with a number of different questions posted around the room on easel paper. Participants are divided into small groups and assigned a starting point to begin the brainstorming process. After a few minutes of brainstorming as a small group, they move on to the next question and repeat the brainstorming process. This continues until all groups have had the opportunity to brainstorm around each question.Purposes:The specific purposes of the Carousel Brainstorm are the following:

•Assessing Knowledge, Needs, Interests, and Attitudes. •Building a Common Vocabulary. •Collecting and Analyzing Data. •Exploring Multiple Perspective. •Reflecting on Practice. •Starting Conversations. •Structuring Learning. •Tapping Prior Knowledge and Beliefs.



Ground RulesSet the ground rules for brainstorming activities prior to the exercise.

Set a time limit for the brainstorming session. Point out that all ideas are good ideas This is not a time for finger pointing or ridicule Do not judge ideas when presented to the group No talking while people are thinking Record each brainstorming idea Only the person that offers an idea can rescind the idea Everyone takes turns in presenting the idea No talking over each other during the idea presentation. Someone leads the brainstorm session so the group remains focused on the task at hand

ACTIVITY: CAROUSEL BRAINSTORMING

This "Carousel Brainstorming" activity was created for the purpose of examining both individual and group beliefs about mathematics and science teaching and learning. It provides a background for creating a collaborative "vision" related to systemic reform.

Materials:

Individual "Thinking Logs" which include a section for "reflecting on beliefs." Easel paper labeled with each of the belief questions (4). Four different colored markers for recording small group brainstorming on the easel

paper.

Facilitation Process Notes:

Ask individual group members to think about their personal beliefs by reflecting and responding in writing to four questions as their first thinking log entry (4-5 min.)

Take a few minutes to individually brainstorm and record your ideas related to the following four questions:

What are your beliefs about what math and science are? What are your beliefs about how children learn math and science? What are your beliefs about what it means to teach math and science? What are your beliefs about how we know that children have learned math and

science?



Describe for group members that they will be sharing their beliefs with a small group (3-5 people, depending on the size of the larger group) and then will be asked to record their individual ideas on the easel paper by either piggy-backing on an idea that is already listed or adding a new idea. Explain that effective brainstorming requires that all ideas are accepted without judgment.

Ask group members to "count-off" by fours and explain the steps in using the "carousel" brainstorming technique: Small groups will begin by responding to one of the four questions and then will rotate clockwise every few minutes to the next question, similar to a real carousel. Develop a signal (preferably a silent one) to let groups know when it is time to move to the next question

CONCLUSION:

The evolution of Ideation have surfaced from the original origins of basic research and

development efforts and have lead the way for people to create and look for new vehicles for

communication and effective team authoring of content. The usage of tools and techniques that

allow better collaboration improve the idea generation process and provide increased

opportunities for success based on the new ideas.

The three basic steps to Ideation are: 1) Explore possibilities, 2) Generate New Concepts,

and 3) Discovery of new opportunities. These basic steps are advantages for innovators to either

seek others with divergent thinking styles, or look for multiple ways without ruling anything out.

Ideation is different from traditional validation market research (Simpson). Focus groups or

traditional market groups are solely about validating ideas, weeding out the bad ideas and to

correct misconceptions. Targeted Ideation is designed to transcend our current ideas to find

innovative steps, features and services that will drive the core vision and beat the objectives. The

disadvantages to Ideation can be summed up by the following: when linking disparate ideas

others reviewing the new ideas may not see the intended connections being made by the



presenter or group. This has a tendency to lead to criticism or in some cases skepticism which

can ultimately kill the creative thinking process.

Overall Ideation can provide a sound foundation for idea generation and management

often leading to great success for those that intend on using either methodology.


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