2. Prepare and Choose a Method for Brainstorming

When you brainstorm as a group, you’re able to generate more ideas, identify important details, and build off of each other’s input. Group brainstorming sessions are most effective when everyone feels prepared, is focused on the topic, and understands the goal.

To begin, sit with your group and open your Starter Project from the previous video.

It’s important to select a brainstorming method that complements the different idea-generating styles of your group.

For instance, if most of your group members enjoy discussing ideas together, you might use a brainstorming outline that allows you to quickly take notes while everyone shares their suggestions aloud. There are numerous brainstorming methods.

In this video, your group will choose between: Mind Mapping with Google Drawings Outlining with Google Docs Brainwriting with Google Sheets.

Mind Mapping uses diagrams to visually organize ideas.

Mind Mapping with Google Drawings helps organize ideas into categories and shows how all your suggestions are related.

Use Mind Mapping if most of your group members enjoy thinking of ideas in a more visual way.

Outlining with Google Docs is a form of brainstorming that allows you to discuss and organize your ideas as a group.

Use Outlining if most of your group members enjoy sharing ideas aloud.

Brainwriting is a silent, written generation of ideas in a group. This method allows group members to build on each other’s ideas without talking aloud.

Use Brainwriting if most of your group members prefer to write instead of sharing aloud.

As a group, discuss which brainstorming exercise you would like to complete.

Now it’s your turn: Open the Starter Project, Decide with your group which brainstorming method to use, And move on to the video that matches your selection.