Transcript Idea Generation And Synthesis

Idea Generation And Synthesis for
Writing Facilitation and
Interaction
IDENTIFY
ADOPT
EVALUATEE
ANALYZE
Idea Generation and Synthesis
Techniques
• Brainstorming
• Modified Brainstorming
– Channels
– Anti-Solution
• Brainwriting
• Synthesis
– SCAMPER
– Idea Box
Brainstorming
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Free flowing idea generation technique
Write down all ideas as they are presented
No judging or pre-selecting
Encourage everyone to participate
Work list to point of “exhaustion”
Evaluate list on subjective and/or objective
criteria
Brainstorming In Writing: Full Group
Exercise
Objective
Instructions
To Develop Awareness and Proficiency
in the Use of Brainstorming in Writing
1. What Is The Purpose Of Brainstorming in Improving
Student Writing?
2. What Are Some Rules for Developing Brainstorming
Techniques for Improving Student Writing?
3. What Are The Key Challenges Of Using
Brainstorming to Improve Student Writing?
Time
15 Minutes
Modified Brainstorming
Two Approaches
Channels
Anti-Solution
A A
Channels
• List categories pertinent to the topic or issue
on a flipchart or writing board
• As ideas emerge, place them under the most
applicable (appropriate) category
• Approaches
– “Free form”--Look for any idea, then categorize
– One category at a time
• Variation
– Use “Post It” Notes to allow more flexibility in
changing category titles and/or idea location
Anti-Solution
• Fun approach to idea generation
• Good at breaking tension
• Process:
– Brainstorm ways to make the situation “worse”
– Once list completed, evaluate each “idea”
– Consider ways to make it better
• Example: Real objective-- “Develop better thesis
sentences”
– Anti-solution Objective-- “Develop weaker thesis
sentences”
Brainwriting
Brainwriting:
The Concept
• Team approach to generate many ideas in short
time
• Combines many aspects of traditional
brainstorming except:
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No open discussion-ideas are written
Reduces tangents, “socializing”, and other distractions
Reduces “monopolizing” effect of vocal members
Increases input from less assertive members
• Conflict/controversy management technique
Brainwriting:
The Process
• Identify a topic or discussion area
• Each team member writes a single idea about topic
on a sheet of paper--one idea per sheet (multiple ideas per
person permitted)
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Place all sheets in middle of table
Members take a sheet (not their own) from stack
Examine the idea
Make comments/suggestions/questions
Pass sheets around the table until all have seen
Evaluate ideas using some type of ranking scheme
Idea Synthesis Techniques
• SCAMPER
• Idea Box
More sophisticated approaches
to developing new ideas
SCAMPER
• SCAMPER Is A Checklist Of Idea-Spurring
Questions*
S = Substitute?
C = Combine?
A = Adapt?
M= Modify or Magnify?
P = Put To Other Uses?
E = Eliminate Or Minify?
R = Reverse? = Rearrange
* Some Of The Questions Were First Suggested By Alex Osborn, A Pioneer Teacher Of Creativity. They Were Later Arranged By Bob Eberle Into This Mnemonic
SCAMPER:
The Process
1. Isolate the challenge or topic you want
to think about
2. Ask SCAMPER questions about each step
of the challenge or topic and see what
new ideas emerge. Asking the questions is
like tapping all over the opportunity with a
hammer to see where the hollow spots are.
Idea Box
• This is a integrated variation of the “Channels”
modified brainstorming technique
• A way to automatically combine the parameters of an
opportunity into creative ideas
• It is important to generate parameters and then list
variations for each parameter
• Example - cards
Parameter
Variation
Hearts
Spades
Clubs
Diamonds
Jack
Queen
King
Ace
Five
Two
Eight
Seven
Four
Ace
Six
Three
Idea Box:
The Process
1. Specify Your Opportunity
2. Select The Parameters Of Your
Opportunity
3. List Variations
4. Try Different Combinations
Idea Box:
An Example
Improve Design For Laundry Hamper
Material
Shape
Finish
Position
1
Wicker
Square
Natural
Sits On Floor
2
Plastic
Cylindrical
Painted
On Ceiling
3
Paper
Rectangle
Clear
On Wall
4
Metal
Hexagonal
Luminous
Chute To
Basement
5
Net Material
Cube
Neon
On Door
Idea Box:
Improve the Writing Process
Information
1
2
3
4
5
Medium
Communication
Style
Idea Generation and Synthesis:
Putting it All Together
• Identify issues of substance
• Determine opportunities for “creatively
structured” collaboration
• Pick a “brainstorming” approach
• Apply
• Evaluate
• Now, give it a try….
Improving Student Writing Through
Brainstorming
Objective
Instructions
Generate Possible Solutions Using “Out Of The
Box” Thinking Techniques
1. Pick an issue around student writing difficulty(ies) that
you would like to develop a strategy to improve in that area
2. Select one brainstorming technique for generating ideas,
using the materials from this presentation as a reference
3. Gather (brainstorm) several possible solutions, focusing
on the assigned root cause
4. Narrow your list to three “top” solutions and be prepared
to discuss the challenges and benefits of the technique(s) you
used
Time
25 Minutes
Further References On Brainstorming and
Other Tools of Creativity
• Games Trainers Play
• Thinkertoys
By Michael Michalko
• Games, etc. – How To Improve
Learning Performance And Productivity
• The Giant Book Of Team Techniques
By Thiagi 812-332-1478
• Frame Games
By Harold Stolovitch