Menu of techniques for generating new ideas in subsequent C/I iterations¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

In later iterations of the C/I cycle, the article recommends a menu of techniques for breaking fixed thought patterns and generating novel connections: "Using a random word as a prompt to break a fixed thought pattern/ heuristic/model and generate novel connections"; asking repeated "why" questions to reveal tacit assumptions; "Having students sort the group ideas into categories," which "reveals deep-seated thought patterns"; asking for analogies; sketching mind maps; showing related pictures or videos; and focusing on anomalies that do not match accepted heuristics or models.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• A facilitator who organizes and displays ideas and critiques, and models the techniques for students unfamiliar with this pedagogy

Constraints¶

• The article reports the menu has been fruitful in circumventing the group's tendency to generate common or similar ideas, but evaluates only the classification technique in the example

Target Learners¶

• STEM students in interactive lecture courses

Target Learning Goals¶

• fluency and originality in idea generation
• breaking fixed heuristics and models

Related Strategies¶

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Kowalski, F.V., Kowalski, S.E., Kohl, P.B., and Kuo, V.H. (2013). Technology-Enabled Nurturing of Creativity and Innovation: A Specific Illustration from an Undergraduate Engineering Physics Course. https://arxiv.org/abs/1308.2434. doi:10.48550/arxiv.1308.2434