1. Ch. 6 Working the Brain
“The true test of a first-rate mind is the ability to hold two contradictory ideas at the same time.”
- F. Scott Fitzgerald
“A closed mind is a dying mind.”
- Edna Ferber

2. Norms for Collaboration
Listen to understand
Speak honestly and openly
Be an active participant
Pay attention to your feathers
Set aside distractions

3. Learner Outcomes
To learn and practice effective techniques for brainstorming
To become familiar with one brainstorming strategy, “Alternate Chart”

4. Agenda Icebreaker Brainstorming Questions & Answers
Review of Information
Brainstorming Strategy: Alternate Chart
Close and Evaluation

5. Why use brainstorming? It helps generate ideas
It increases the energy level
It denotes an accelerated pattern of thinking.

6. Rules are Needed
A defined, constrained time is needed for the activity.
The goal is to get lots of ideas for consideration.
No responses of pro or con can be made as ideas are shared.
After ideas are listed, the process of deeper understanding is next.

7. With adults, consider:
Adults may be inhibited to participate at first.
Adults may be worried that an answer may be wrong.

8. Adult Brainstorming
List ideas on paper before sharing with the larger group
Explain the process and acknowledge that ideas may come slowly
Explain that “wait time” will be used
Avoid reinforcing the answer

9. Adult Brainstorming
Tell members that they can feed you ideas as fast as you can write them down.
When it seems like members have generated all ideas, engage them to think about more ideas:
Come up with three more ideas
Meet in pairs to generate more ideas.

10. Adult Brainstorming
The facilitator should take the notes. because it allows the facilitator to:
Pace the session.
Manage the energy of the team generating ideas.

11. Brainstorming Strategies
There are eight different strategies.
Refer to your handout for all eight
We are going to use Alternate Chart.

12. Alternate Chart Work in teams of 4-5 people.
Charts are arranged around the room.
Each chart is a different category.
Each team stands by one of the charts

13. Alternate Chart Topics
Ways the school can benefit the community
Ways the community can help the schools
Existing programs that can provide a base for future projects
People who need to be on the design committee for this project
Ways to recruit volunteers

14. Alternate Chart While at your team’s chart:
Brainstorm and write down as many ideas as you can for 3 minutes.
When “switch” is called, stop.
Move to another chart, but do not rotate around the room.
Repeat by brainstorming as many ideas as you can for 3 minutes.

15. Alternate Chart Go through the process of getting clarity.
If time allows, visit each chart two or three times.
Go through the process of getting clarity.