101 Activities For Teaching Creativity And Problem Solving

(Joyce) #1

126 101 Activities for Teaching Creativity and Problem Solving


101 Activities for Teaching Creativity and Problem Solving.Copyright © 2005 by John Wiley &
Sons, Inc. Reproduced by permission of Pfeiffer, an Imprint of Wiley. http://www.pfeiffer.com

Circle of Opportunity Handout


To illustrate Circle of Opportunity, consider ways to improve a briefcase. First, construct a
circle as shown in Figure 6.1 with twelve different attributes.
You roll a die and get the number 5 (security); you roll both dice and get the number
10 (materials) for the second attribute. You free-associate using these attributes: plastic,
hidden, bulletproof vest, case-hardened steel, alarms, motion detectors, and video cam-
eras. These free associations might help you think of such ideas as:


  • Installing hidden security pockets in a briefcase

  • Constructing the briefcase out of bulletproof materials so it can be used as a shield

  • Installing an alarm and motion detectors to go off whenever someone unauthorized
    tries to move the briefcase


You roll a die again and get the number 6 (padding) and then both dice and get the num-
ber 9 (colors).

Figure 6.1. Circle of Opportunity

Your free associations are soft, spongy, pockets, and rainbow. From these associations
you think of the following ideas:


  • A multicolored briefcase

  • Different colors for each file of an expanding filing pocket

  • A padded handle in a contrasting color

  • A padded compartment in a contrasting color for use when carrying a notebook com-
    puter so you can remove the compartment when you aren’t carrying the computer
    and save space


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