101 Activities For Teaching Creativity And Problem Solving

134 101 Activities for Teaching Creativity and Problem Solving

Related Activities

• Picture Tickler [17]


• Rorschach Revisionist [18]


• Doodles [37]


• Drawing Room [59]


• Modular Brainstorming [62]

Handout

• Ideatoons Handout

Procedure

1. Distribute the Ideatoons Handout, review it with the participants, and answer any
   questions they may have.


2. Tell them to divide their problem into major attributes.


3. Ask them to illustrate each attribute with an abstract, graphic symbol. Have them
   do this on a Post-it®Note (one illustration per note). Encourage them to focus on
   the general nature of their drawings and not to worry about how correct or artistic
   they might be.


4. Instruct them to place the completed cards, face up, on their tables and experi-
   ment with different groupings of the symbols. Caution them to avoid consciously
   creating any particular patterns and not to worry about having to use every note
   with each arrangement of symbols.


5. As they arrange and rearrange the symbols, tell them to use each combination of
   symbols to free-associate and see what ideas are suggested. Tell them that they
   don’t have to limit themselves to combinations of symbols, but also may use indi-
   vidual ones.


6. Note that if they start to run out of ideas, they may add another Ideatoon or begin
   a new set.


7. Tell them to write down any ideas on Post-it®Notes (one idea per note) and place
   them on flip charts for evaluation.

Debrief/Discussion

This technique can be quite stimulating and fun to do in a group. It works especially well

for people who free-associate well and can think symbolically. On the other hand, people

who expect literal perspectives may have difficulty. Fortunately, most groups contain at

least a couple of people who can help stimulate others. It is especially important that you

encourage the participants to have fun. If time is available, you might ask them to discuss

how easy it was for them to use the symbols.

Also consider having participants debrief using the following questions:

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