THINK DIFFERENTLY!!!

ACTIVITY Arrange the cardboard pieces to give a shape that is easy to describe

THE WAY THE MIND WORKS

Join the Apple to the Tree ACTIVITY

Note: most of the students will start off from the apple But lateral thinkers will start backwards from the tree Self imposed assumption is that we can only start forwards. Where as starting backwards will lead to a quicker solution

DO YOU WANT TO THINK DIFFERENTLY? SOLUTION…… LATERAL THINKING !

WHAT IS LATERAL THINKING? Restructures old patterns Creates new patterns Go for the least obvious path New ways of looking at a thing

WHY LATERAL THINKING ? It increases our efficiency

DO YOU WANT TO THINK LATERALLY? HOW???

TECHNIQUE 1: GENERATION OF ALTERNATIVES Any particular way of looking at a thing is only one of many ways, NOT the only way Keep searching for alternatives even after reaching the most promising one.

Tip: Set a quota

Divide the square into 4 equal pieces

HINT

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

What’s happening in this picture?

TECHNIQUE 2: CHALLENGING ASSUMPTIONS Avoid self-imposed assumptions Challenge the assumptions to let the mind think freely

Join the dots Use only 4 straight lines Do not raise pen

TIP: ‘Why’ Technique Ask ‘why’ even when you know the answers It allows us to look deeply and differently at a thing Why are wheels round?

Prophet Ibrahim’s Story So also did We show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth, that he might (with understanding) have certitude. When the night covered him over, He saw a star: He said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, He said: "I love not those that set." When he saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord." But when the moon set, He said: "unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray." When he saw the sun rising in splendour, he said: "This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all)." But when the sun set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to Allah. "For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah." [Surah 6; 75-79]

WHY?

IMPORATANT RULE Do not judge the ideas Think how they can be put to use

Break up the problem into smaller divisions

Fractionize “Reaching School on time” Mode of transport Route Waking up time Traffic No. of signals Time taken to get dressed

Uses of Lateral Thinking Describing Problem Solving Designing

Reference book LATERAL THINKING Creativity step by step By Edward de Bono