Brainstorming

What and why?

'Brainstorming' is the name given to a number of techniques used for generating and gathering ideas. The basic principle is that the students suggest ideas which may be collected, for example, on the blackboard. During the collecting of ideas, all ideas suggested are noted down - only after the brainstorming is finished are the ideas discussed, grouped or eliminated. Brainstorming can encourage students to speak out and share ideas. It also gives the teacher an immediate impression of how much the students already know about something.

Practical ideas

There are a number of different ways you can approach brainstorming.

• Write 'What do we know about (name of the topic)?' in big letters on the blackboard. Place a circle round it and some lines out from the circle. Ask the students what they know about the topic. As they say things, write them around the circle.
• Write 'What do we know about (name of the topic)?' in big letters on the blackboard. Give the students a few minutes to note down ideas by themselves. Then collect their ideas on the board.
• As above, but students work in small groups.
• As above, but play some soft MUSIC while they are thinking/discussing.
• Students work in groups to generate ideas and then cross-group (see GROUPWORK) to compare. You can use different types of MUSIC during these stages.
• The brainstorming can be put up on a POSTER and referred to and added to over a number of lessons.
• Brainstorming doesn't have to be about things they know. It can be about things they would like to know. Students can build up a question POSTER.
• Brainstorming can be done in English or in the MOTHER TONGUE.