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Creativity Brainstorming |
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�Leslie O. Wilson/Updated 10/15/03
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Creativity Brainstorming |
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Contents: Creativity links |
In A Nutshell -- All About Brainstorming
One of the best general explanations I have found for describing "brainstorming" comes from a book entitled The art of creating thinking by Wilfred A. Peterson.
. . . Brainstorming is an existing process by which individuals strive to stimulate and inspire each other to create ideas. The purpose is to tap the subconscious mind of each member in a group and create a mutual sharing of mental wealth of those participating. Through the mechanism of association, one idea will suggest another and another. . .creating a chain reaction.
. . . It can be used by everyone. . .Brainstorming is thinking-together, harnessing imaginative power. It is mental teamwork, going into a creative-huddle. It can be used by family members to create harmony in the home or by statesman to create a peaceful world. 10-11
Alex F. Osborn has been designated the "Father of Brainstorming;"
Intentions
for brainstorming
The intention of brainstorming is to generate a large number of diverse ideas and responses. This technique is a divergent thinking exercise and should be one of the primary steps used in creative problem solving. While the volume of different ideas is the primary goal of brainstorming, this technique has other benefits:
1. Students learn to express their ideas freely and without the fear of criticism.
2. Students learn to piggyback ideas - to build on the ideas of others.
Rules for brainstorming
There are actual rules for brainstorming and these should be followed for each session. Brainstorming works better if participants know the rules beforehand and have an opportunity to get to know one another. It flourishes in and atmosphere where there are levels of mutual trust and acceptance.
1. All ideas are - judgment and criticism are deferred
2. Participant should feel unrestricted and should feel that they are free to say anything and everything. The farther out the idea, the better
3. Ideas should be built on the ideas of others. This is the concept of piggybacking.
4. The more ideas, the better. This is an exercise where the quantity of ideas is stressed over the quality of the ideas.
Follow-up Activities
After the brainstorming session there are follow-up activities that are important.
1. All ideas should be left in their original form.
2. Standards should be developed for evaluating and revising the collected ideas. During this process the ultimate goal(s) of the brainstorming activity should be taken into to account
3. After ultimate goals have been established and judgment criteria discussed, see how many ideas fit the criteria.
4. Discuss methods or ways to develop each of the ideas. Discuss how each idea can best be presented.
Copyright©
Leslie Owen
Wilson, 1997
