101 Activities For Teaching Creativity And Problem Solving

62. Modular Brainstorming

Background

You’ve certainly heard the expression “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Well, you

might also say that a picture is worth a thousand ideas. Modular Brainstorming (also

called “Component Detailing”) was developed by Wakin (1985) to take advantage of the

natural human tendency to use visualization during problem solving. This activity also

helps provoke unique perspectives by positioning the pictures in a certain way.

Objectives

• To help participants generate as many creative ideas as possible


• To help participants learn how to use the activities to generate ideas

Participants

Small groups of four to seven people each

Materials, Supplies, and Equipment

• For each group: markers, two flip charts, and masking tape for posting flip-chart
  sheets


• For each participant: one sheet each of three different colors of sticking dots
  (^1 ⁄ 2 ” diameter) and one pad of 4 x 6 Post-it®Notes

Handout

• Modular Brainstorming Handout

Time

45 minutes

Related Activities

• Picture Tickler [17]

264 101 Activities for Teaching Creativity and Problem Solving

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