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?