What is an idea?
TED Ed Clubs provides a starting point for answering this question. For the video we just watched, find a partner or group of people and answer the following questions:
- What is your group’s definition of an “idea worth spreading”?
- What are the qualities of good ideas?
- What can keep ideas from spreading?
- Are ideas created by individuals or groups?
idea generation
Students will generate a list of 8-32 potential topics (depending on their age). It is important that students generate a comprehensive list of topics. We have found it is difficult for students to generate this many topic ideas in just one class period. Therefore, allow students to think about their topic list overnight, look online to stimulate ideas, consider past interests (i.e. from their “childhood”), and talk with friends or family to help them identify topics for their list. Students can generate ideas using “brainstorming” techniques, but the goal here is not to present random ideas, rather this is designed to help them address numerous possibilities and go beyond what they might normally consider an interest. Support the students in being “creative” with their topic generation and help them expand their frame of reference. The more and varied opportunities students are introduced to, the more they can consider a multitude of avenues for exploration.
So that we are prepared for our work tomorrow. Take a few moments to complete the following:
Seeking Ideas
| 1_problem_finding.docx |
| planning_overview.docx |
| 2_topic_evaluation.docx |
| 3_topic_focusing.docx |
| 4_topic_selection.docx |
| whats_your_problem_lessons.pdf |
| whats_your_problem_lessons.2.pdf |