Types Of Brainstorming

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Last Updated on October 3, 2023 by Editorial Team

Are you ready to unleash the power of your imagination and tap into the collective genius of your team? Look no further than brainstorming! This tried-and-true method is a powerful tool for generating new ideas, solving complex problems, and finding fresh perspectives. Whether you prefer traditional round-table sessions or more modern techniques like mind mapping and lateral thinking, there are countless ways to approach the brainstorming process.

Brainstorming is all about free-flowing ideas, wild suggestions, and open-minded thinking. It’s a safe space where everyone’s input is valued, and no idea is too crazy or too out-of-the-box. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible and not to judge them at the moment. And who knows that wild idea might just be the seed that blossoms into a game-changing solution.

It’s no secret that brainstorming can be a powerful tool for businesses, but it’s not just for the corporate world. Whether you’re a student working on a group project, a non-profit organization brainstorming ways to raise funds, or just a group of friends looking for a new hobby, brainstorming can help you unlock new possibilities and achieve your goals.

So let’s put on our thinking caps and unleash the full potential of our imaginations with brainstorming! With the right mindset and approach, the sky’s the limit for what we can achieve together.

Various techniques for brainstorming

There are various techniques for brainstorming that can be used to generate ideas and solve problems. Some of the most common techniques include:

1. Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is a visual tool that allows you to organize and connect ideas in a non-linear way. It involves creating a central idea and then branching off with related ideas, forming a map-like structure. This technique helps to generate creative ideas and also helps in organizing them.

Mind mapping

Here’s an example of how it could be applied:

Suppose the educators are thinking of new ideas for improving student engagement in the class. They can together brainstorm different ideas and note them all in a more organized way of mind mapping. The facilitator would write “Improve classroom engagement” at the center of a whiteboard or piece of paper and draw a circle around it.

Then, participants would share their ideas, and the facilitator would write each idea on a sticky note and place it around the central circle, grouping similar ideas together. Over time, a “map” of related ideas emerges, allowing educators to see connections and identify potential solutions.

Furthermore, mind mapping can also be substantially beneficial for students with learning disabilities like dyscalculia.

2. Starbursting

star bursting

Starbursting is a technique that is used to generate a large number of ideas by asking a series of “why” and “what if” questions. It starts with a central idea and then branches off with a series of questions that encourage exploration and experimentation.

Here’s an example of how it could be applied:

Suppose the educator is planning to implement a new creative way of teaching a concept. The teacher would start with a central idea, such as “classroom activities”, and write it in the center of a whiteboard or piece of paper. Then, the facilitator would ask themselves or a group of teachers accompanying the ideas, a series of questions starting with “What if…?” or “How could we…?” to stimulate idea generation.

3. Random word

The random word technique is a method of brainstorming that involves selecting a random word and then using it as a starting point for generating ideas. This can be a great way to break out of a rut and spark new ideas.

Random word

Here’s an example:

Suppose the students in science class are brainstorming ideas for reducing plastic waste. The facilitator would write a random word, such as “Compostable,” on a whiteboard or piece of paper and ask participants to come up with as many ideas as possible related to compostable solutions for reducing plastic waste.

For example, some ideas could be:

  • Encouraging businesses to switch to compostable packaging materials and providing education on how to properly dispose of these materials
  • Implementing compost collection programs in cities to provide an alternative to traditional waste disposal

4. Reverse brainstorming

Reverse brainstorming is a technique that starts by identifying a problem or challenge and then works backward to generate ideas for solving it. This can be a useful way to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions.

Here’s an example of how it could be applied:

Suppose you’re brainstorming ways to encourage children to read more books. The facilitator would write the problem statement, such as “How to Encourage Children to Read More Books,” on a whiteboard or piece of paper and ask participants to come up with ideas for how to make reading less appealing to children.

For an instance,

  1. How can we make our classrooms more boring?
  • Encourage the children to think of ways to make the classroom less engaging and less fun. This will help them understand the importance of making their classrooms interesting and interactive.
  1. How can we make our meals less healthy?
  • Ask the children to think of ways to make their meals unhealthy, such as adding junk food, skipping fruits and vegetables, and avoiding physical activity. This will help them understand the importance of eating healthy food and staying active.
  1. How can we make bedtime more difficult?
  • Encourage the children to think of ways to make bedtime a struggle, such as staying up late, playing video games, or having a sugar-filled snack before bed. This will help them understand the importance of getting enough sleep and following a bedtime routine.

These exercises can be fun and engaging for children, while also helping them understand the importance of making positive choices for their health and well-being.

5. Scamper

scamper technique

SCAMPER is a technique that is based on the acronym SCAMPER which stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse. It is a mnemonic method that can be used to generate new ideas by using a series of prompts.

Example: To generate new ideas for introducing a new concept in the class, using SCAMPER one could:

  • Substitute the traditional method with something creative, e.g. activities or real-life examples
  • Combine conventional teaching with another method, e.g. using manipulatives or visual aids
  • Adapt the concept for real-life use, e.g. make a 3d working model
  • Modify the plan and flow of the class, e.g. make it more interactive and encourage participation
  • Put the concept to another use, e.g. relating it to another subject or concept
  • Eliminate unnecessary information, e.g. giving less and required information at a time to learn and absorb
  • Rearrange the lesson plan, e.g. instead of starting with a definition, introduce a real-life example

6. Random Input

This technique is a way to generate new ideas by randomly selecting a word, phrase, or image and then using it as a starting point. This can be a great way to break out of a rut and spark new ideas.

Example: To generate ideas for a new activity in a class, the following random input could be used: “dice.”

  • Using dice for an activity related to any basic calculation operations.
  • Using it for teaching probability concepts.
  • Using it as a real-life example of cubes.

7. Random Stimuli

This technique is a way to generate new ideas by exposing yourself to random stimuli, such as a random picture, a random sound, or a random word. This can help you break out of your usual way of thinking and generate new and unique ideas.

Random Stimuli

During random stimuli, participants come up with fresh ideas by using free association in relation to an arbitrary phrase or image. A game of charades with friends, for instance, may make you think of a vocabulary activity to be used with students to learn new words.

8. Role Reversal

This technique involves reversing the roles of different stakeholders or different parts of a system and then brainstorming new ideas based on that reversal. For instance, teachers can be a student for a day and students play the role of a teacher for that day and teach. This way, both teachers and students can understand each other better and think of the modifications required in each other’s role.

9. Traditional brainstorming

 Traditional brainstorming

This is the most well-known and widely-used form of brainstorming. It involves a group of people sitting in a room and sharing ideas out loud. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible in a short period of time, without any criticism or evaluation of the ideas.

For example, You begin by asking one of two “reverse” questions to use this technique: Rather than pondering “How can I address or prevent this issue?” question: “How could I possibly be the source of the issue?” Ask “How may I potentially produce the opposite effect?” instead of “How can I acquire these results?”

10. Round-robin brainstorming

This type of brainstorming is similar to traditional brainstorming, but each person in the group takes turns sharing their ideas, rather than everyone sharing at the same time. This can be useful for preventing one or two people from dominating the conversation.

11. Silent brainstorming

Silent brainstorming

In this type of brainstorming, individuals write their ideas down on paper or a whiteboard, rather than sharing them out loud. This can be useful for people who are shy or introverted, or who prefer to think through their ideas before sharing them.

For example, this can be done in a classroom where the teacher can give a specific topic and ask children to write down their ideas on it.

Can brainstorming help in reading and writing?

Are you struggling to understand the texts you read or struggling to come up with new ideas for your writing? Brainstorming, the powerful tool for generating ideas can be the key to unlocking your full potential in both reading and writing. Brainstorming can help you to actively engage with your reading material, organize your thoughts, and overcome writer’s block to produce truly impressive and unique writing. Research[1] has shown that brainstorming can be beneficial in both reading and writing. 

In reading, brainstorming can help students to better understand and retain the information they are reading by encouraging them to actively engage with the text. A study[2] published in the Journal of Educational Research found that using a brainstorming technique called “question-answer relationships” helped students to better understand and recall information from a text. 

In writing, brainstorming can help to generate ideas and organize them in a logical sequence, thus helping in the pre-writing stage. Additionally, brainstorming techniques like the SCAMPER can help writers come up with new and unique ideas by stimulating their imagination and encouraging them to think differently. Research[3] has also shown that brainstorming can help reduce writer’s block, which can be a common problem among writers.

In summary, brainstorming can be a helpful tool in both reading and writing by encouraging active engagement with the material, organizing ideas, and generating new and unique ideas. Furthermore, teachers and educators can use tools like brainstorming worksheets to help the students further. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, brainstorming is a powerful tool that can help children in many ways. It can help them to think critically, generate new and unique ideas, and overcome problems. By using brainstorming techniques such as mind mapping and related mind mapping activities, starbursting, and SCAMPER, children can learn how to think more creatively and come up with new and innovative solutions to problems.

Additionally, brainstorming and many related games and activities can help children to become more organized and better able to express themselves through writing.

References

  1. Ghabanchi, Z. G. (n.d.). The Impact of Brainstorming on Reading Comprehension and Critical Thinking Ability of EFL Learners. International Conference on Current Trends in ELT.
  2. Mayasari, A. M. (n.d.). IMPROVING STUDENT’S READING COMPREHENSION THROUGH QUESTION-ANSWER RELATIONSHIPS. ENGLISH EDUCATION.
  3. Huston, P. (1998). Resolving writer’s block. Canadian Family Physician, 44, 92-97. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2277565/

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