Brainstorming Online

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Industry:

Brainstorming and Debates

"Brainstorming and Debates” is a warm-up activity that utilizes www.wallwisher.com to brainstorm by posting about engineering and environmental related issues. The activity forms a basis for follow up group discussions and possibly a debate.

Outcomes:

The learner will be able to:

  • Share opinions using suggested vocabulary
  • Develop vocabulary
  • Build oral fluency through group discussions and debate

Preparation:

  • Talk about pragmatics - language for voicing an opinion in a culturally appropriate way
  • Review vocabulary considerations such as “how to voice an opinion the Canadian way”.
  • Review the use of conversation gambits such as “I feel that”, “I disagree because…”, “I agree with”
  • Identify language for students to practice while engaging in the brainstorming activity
  • Activity example using this tool

Delivery:

  1. Introduce the Tool:
    • Introduce concept of brainstorming and cultural relevance (i.e. how brainstorming and sharing is valued as a process in Canadian workplaces)
    • Clarify expectations
      • Grading criteria -
      • i.e. one posting with opinion on the virtual wall
      • i.e. debate or written summary
  2. Brainstorm:
    • Give guidelines and timeline for generating ideas.
    • Create the brainstorming activity by:
      • Posting a statement on Wallwisher, such as: “Building another bridge in Edmonton is environmentally unsound” (or)
      • Post a link to a possible contentious blog or video related to environmental concerns such as (1) building in a park or across a river; or (2) removing trees and wetlands to create a building development.
    • Request the class to respond by posting a sticky note on the virtual wall.
  3. Summarize:
    • By breaking into groups to discuss the posted opinions
  4. Conclude with One of These Ideas:
    • Organize a formal debate (review rules and cultural relevance
    • Summarize viewpoints and ideas (on a blog or wiki)
    • Provide support language for learners to practice:
      • Providing feedback appropriately. For example, "I feel that your proposed solution is interesting." Or "Have you thought about these factors?"
      • Giving and opinion
      • Disagreeing with someone
      • Summarizing point
      • Etc.

Activity Reference Links:

The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) skills addressed by this activity are:

  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading
  • Writing