Brainstorming — various techniques Brainstorming

General Application
The jigsaw method can be applied to nearly any topic, provided that students have received enough instruction and have access to the materials they need for developing their 'expert' role in the group.
The general steps are as follows:

1. 
   Divide students into groups of five or six.
   
2. 
   Assign a group leader.
   
3. 
   Divide the assignment up into sections that equal the number of students in each group.
   
4. 
   Give each student in each group one segment of this topic to learn.
   
5. 
   Students take the required time to learn their part of the topic, and form a second set of groups based on the topic.
   
6. 
   Students take turns sharing what they've learned and fill in any gaps, becoming experts on their part of the lesson and rehearsing what they will be presenting to their main group.
   
7. 
   Each group member then returns to his/her original group and teaches what he's/she's learned (Jigsaw in 10 Easy Steps).
   

Example
Let's say you're teaching a unit on American presidents of the 20th century, and are focusing on President John F. Kennedy. Your jigsaw might proceed as follows:
SHORT WRITING EXERCISES
1. Give students a card / a sheet of paper
2. Ask them to answer a question anonymously
3. Collect responses
4. Respond in the same or next lesson
 Review important points
 Clarify misconceptions
 Answer questions
SHORT WRITING EXERCISES -EXAMPLES
1. Muddiest point (1-2 mins)
 What is the least clear point in the session?
2. One minute paper (1-2 mins)
 In 1-2 sentence, what is the most useful point (s) of the session and what is the
question (s) remaining in your mind?
3. Directed paraphrasing (1-2 mins)
 In 1-2 concise sentence, define what deep learning means to you. Write a definition below that will make sense to you friends.
COMMON PROCEDURES
Give complete instructions (both verbally and textually)
(i) Context (ii) Time (iii) Group or individual
(iv) Expected responses
Walk around the classroom
Debrief/ highlight the key points
TIPS
• Start with a simple technique that you feel comfortable with.
• Don’t answer your own question too quick.
– Wait (10-15 seconds)
– Wait….. longer, if question is lengthy, sophisticated (writing on paper first)
– Non-verbal cues
– Confused/ misunderstood. ASK!