Ask Weird Questions using Wordle

To understand teaching strategies better our tutor Caroline asked the class to divide into pairs and select a piece of folded paper from an envelope. Each scrap of paper revealed a different strategy to research, we then presented our findings to the group. Viv and I chose 'Brainstorming'. 

Brainstorming is a creative group technique by which efforts are made to find a conclusion for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas spontaneously contributed by its members. This technique is a dynamic and stimulating way to lead learners into a topic. 

Through our research we found this strategy to be a great visual aid to assist with writing essays and to gain knowledge of a topic. The visual aspect of collating words has been a method I have used myself as a way of retaining information, and found this technique effective when working on design ideas or concepts.

 

To demonstrate ‘Brainstorming’ we asked the group ‘How would a White Apple taste’? By posing a challenging question it forces learners to break down barriers that are keeping them in the ‘safe zone’. The group interacted well with the task and provided some great answers. This method is also a good way of assessing the learner’s prior subject knowledge and observing the group dynamics.

With the suggested ideas for ‘How would a white apple taste’ I inputted these into the free online word cloud application called Wordle. See picture above.

Teaching in an Art & Design environment encourages creative thinking and visual recognition of ideas, topics etc. I think using the brainstorm strategy would be a great way of encouraging student ideas and knowledge and definitely a technique I will adopt in my own practice. I also feel using Wordle would be a great addition to enhance this and could be used as an additional resource to aid students learning.