Brainstorming Online

Web Tool:

Industry:

Creative Brainstorming for Engineering

“Creative Brainstorming for Engineering” is an introductory activity that utilizes www.wallwisher.com to brainstorm online with the intent to share internet links related to bridges, engineering and environmental related issues.

Outcomes:

The learner will be able to:

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

Preparation:

  • Consider pragmatics - language for voicing an opinion in 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
  • See Wallwisher example

Delivery:

  1. Introduce the Tool:
    • Introduce concept of brainstorming and cultural relevance (i.e. how valued as a process in Canadian workplaces, when, where, how it is used, rules)
    • Clarify participation expectations
      • Grading criteria
      • i.e. one posting with link on the virtual wall
  2. Brainstorm:
    • Give guidelines (rules of brainstorming) and timeline for generating ideas.
    • Create the brainstorming activity:
      • Watch
      • Post “sticky notes” related to the link “Building Big - Bridges” on the virtual wall
      • Rearrange and categorize the ideas on the wall either individually or as a group and report back to the class as to trends and categories
  3. Summarize:
    • By breaking into groups to discuss the posted websites, trends and categories
    • List categories on chart paper
  4. Conclude with One of These Ideas:
    • Write a summary with the websites sorted into categories (on a blog or wiki); choose favourite website and state rationale for choice
    • Provide necessary (target) support language (pragmatics) learners can/should practice/focus attention on:
      • Providing feedback appropriately. For example, “I feel that your website 'X' is interesting”
      • Giving and opinion
      • Summarizing point

Activity Reference Links:

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

  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading
  • Writing