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2.3
Seeking Innovation
Submitted by Jack Byrd, Jr.
This activity describes a simple practice for generating innovative ideas. By using mind mapping, participants describe the landscape of an issue and then use word connections to generate new ideas that can be developed into workable and innovative new directions.
Learning Goal
Practice using “good word connections” as a strategy for sparking innovative thinking.
Instructions
Set Up: Prepare for the Activity
Select a topic or area of concern that is important to your group.
If possible, take inventory of what participants already know about this topic prior to the first gathering. This could be collected using an asynchronous mind map platform, like mindmeister.com.
Begin by introducing the learning goals of this activity.
Step One: Take Inventory (10 min)
If participants completed an online mind map in advance, share this with the group. If not, take inventory of what the group already knows about the selected topic. This can be done on a board, flip chart, or online (try mindmeister).
Step Two: Introduce and Play with Word Connections (20 min)
Introduce the process of making “word connections.” Model how to combine random words from a “good word list” and then explore how these words might lead to new avenues of exploration. You can make up your own list or use the IF Good Words List.
Using the list of good words, randomly combine a verb, noun, and adjective. Overlay this word combination with the mind map to see what connections might be made.
Ask each participant to try making a word connection and then invite a couple of participants to share their words and how these specific words helped them to generate a new idea or the beginning of a new idea for the topic.
Step Three: Expand on Word Connections (10 min)
In pairs or small groups (3-5 ppl), invite participants to play with this exercise for an additional ten minutes. They can work together to randomly combine three words and then explore how this combination applies or can apply to the topic. This second step will force them to think creatively together and make connections that are not obvious at first glance.
Step Four: Debrief as a Full Group (10 min)
Discuss:
How was the initial list or mind map helpful? How does taking inventory help situate this activity?
Describe the struggles that you had in using the word combinations to generate possible innovations.
How might you coach others to overcome those struggles?
Which were your favorite ideas that came from the word connection process?
How or when might you use this process again?
TIME
50
min
MODULE
Creative Collaboration
This activity can be completed by any discussion group.
This activity can be easily modified for asynchronous learning. See Sample Asynchronous Certificate Program Design to illustrate sample sequencing.
This activity might be considered high energy or more playful than other activities.
This activity can be easily modified to serve as an introductory exercise and completed in less than 10 minutes.
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0 Comments
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:21:35 AM
Activity 3.6 in an innovative activity that encourages detailed thinking about and evaluation of proposed solutions by thinking of not just the intended, but also unintended consequences.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:15:22 AM
Activity 3.5 uses visual aids and worksheets to explore a topic in detail from multiple angles. Pretending you are an alien to look at an issue from new perspectives is fun!
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:11:26 AM
Activity 3.4 uses detailed prompts and twists to encourage participants to move beyond binary thinking, which allows to them to recognize the grey areas of decision-making.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:07:44 AM
Activity 3.3 uses visual methods to uncover assumptions and biases, as well as help practice "suspending" these assumptions during a discussion.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:05:57 AM
Activity 3.2 uses visual cues to easily bring awareness to the emotions of participants in a discussion and help them understand the changing flow and impact of emotions in a discussion..
YD
November 29, 2022 at 5:59:34 AM
Activity 3.1 offers a very detailed step-by-step process to evaluate your thinking in real time while discussing an issue.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 2:20:17 AM
Activity 2.8 is a fun and engaging activity that helps develop a positive, hopeful and empowering way of thinking by using an innovative method to break free of constraints on imagination and recognize the potential that exists in the present situation, which could lead to the ideal future or solution. It also offers a method to imagine the actionable steps on a pathway from the present to that future.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 2:13:29 AM
Activity 2.7 uses metaphors to explore the place of imagination and humor in exploring difficult or unfamiliar topics.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 2:10:50 AM
Activity 2.6 is another fun activity that encourages flexible thinking and a method of communication built on validation and respect, resulting in an environment of collaboration.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 2:02:30 AM
Activity 2.5 is fun activity that helps you let loose and unleash your playful side to help demonstrate how play is very useful to broadening perspectives.