This activity allows the teacher to gather the representations of a group before addressing or constructing content. The principle is to set up a framework that allows free expression of an audience while channelling and facilitating it. The example of brainstorming proposed below can be applied even in a large group.
- Group size: Small Group, Medium Group, Large Group
- Equipment needed: WhiteBoard / Flipchart
- Type of class: During lecture, in Classroom
- Grouping: Individual, Full Group
- Objective: Approach a content, work in groups, observe representations
- Lenght: ≤ 20 min
- Keywords: Activity, Representations, Free Expression
The teacher states the instructions for the activity:
- The teacher is going to say a word, each person can propose a word related, for him or her, to the teacher's word. It is a principle of association of ideas, no need to think too much.
- Speaking is free
- No comments or judgements on the words spoken
- We listen to each other, we try to speak to be heard, the words spoken are destined to be written on the board.
- Speaking begins and ends at the teacher's signal.
- The activity will be repeated 3 times.
The teacher then says the first word and gives the signal. He/she takes the words thrown out by the group on the fly and notes them on the board (if possible in an already organised way to be used for the rest of his/her intervention). This first word must be directly related to the topic of the day. The activity lasts 5 minutes maximum.
When the activity is over, the teacher says the second word. It should be completely off the mark (try "banana", "rubber band" or "kouglof" if you have no idea). Encourage the group to generate ideas, for up to 3 minutes, and record the ideas in the same way as the first time. Pace and restart if the group slows down.
Finally the teacher says the last word which should be directly related to the objective of the session. Keep up the pace of the second word and take notes in a way that makes it easier for the group to read it back together. Then signal the end of the activity.
Remove the terms from the board from the second word (except those that are useful to you) and ask the group to analyse the topic of the day using the terms on the board and then continue the session.