Brainstorming Online
Web Tool:
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:
- 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
- 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.
- Summarize:
- By breaking into groups to discuss the posted opinions
- 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