Cisco Systems CCNA 2 manual Brainstorming, Cluster Diagram

B.3.3 Brainstorming

Figure 1: Cluster Diagram

Brainstorming techniques can be useful for teaching IT curriculum. These techniques can be applied to areas such as introductions to new topics and integral parts of design work, Figure 1 shows some responses to the question, "What does the word 'network' mean?" There are four simple rules for this brainstorming activity:

•The wildest possible ideas are accepted.

•There will be no censorship of ideas.

•The instructor wants a high quantity of responses.

•Responses can build on the ideas of other people.

Another method for brainstorming is called carousel brainstorming. This is a strategy used for creative thinking when multiple solutions are possible to solve an issue or problem. During a carousel session, problems are documented on large sheets of chart paper around a room. Students in small cooperative groups are given different colored pens and asked to go around the room and brainstorm solutions to the problems listed on the different chart papers. This is done in 30-second rotation sessions. The process continues until students have an opportunity to respond to all problems or issues listed on papers around the room.

SCAMPER is another example of a brainstorming activity that encourages students to think creatively. Scamper is an acronym for substitute, combine, adapt, modify, put to other uses, eliminate, and reverse. It was first implemented in the 1940s by Alex Osborne and it was revised in the early 1980s by Bob Eberle.

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