Brainwriting: Unlocking Creativity

In today’s digital world, developing the skill of creative thinking is more important than knowledge acquisition. One of the most effective ways to develop this important skill is through the use of an innovative approach known as Brainwriting.

Brainwriting is a silent brainstorming tool that encourages creativity in all students. Students write down their ideas rather than speaking them out loud, ensuring that everyone, regardless of confidence or personality type, gets an equal opportunity to contribute. This strategy not only fosters a “democratic use of brains,” as creativity expert Dr. Michael Michalko describes it, but it also ensures a diverse spectrum of ideas.

Traditional brainstorming, in spite of its merit, often allows dominant students to overshadow quieter ones. Brainwriting, on the other hand, ensures that even the most introverted students creative abilities are recognised and utilised. This strategy fosters a judgement-free environment, allowing ideas to flourish resulting in a diverse set of creative solutions.

To effectively impart creative thinking through Brainwriting, teachers should:

· Establish the context: Ask a relevant, open-ended challenge or question.

· Silent Generation: Give students time to individually document their unique ideas.

· Idea Exchange: Facilitate the rotation of papers among students, encouraging them to expand upon existing ideas.

· Group Discussion: Engage the class in a collective discussion to refine and develop the ideas further.

Teachers can increase student morale while simultaneously emphasising the need for diverse creative thinking by appreciating and acting on the diverse ideas generated. Integrating Brainwriting into the curriculum on a regular basis will acquaint students with the concept, making it a versatile tool that can be used across subjects and topics.

Sir Ken Robinson, “Creativity is as vital as literacy.”

In a world where routine tasks are increasingly automated, what sets students apart is their ability to think creatively. It’s imperative for teachers to prioritise and nurture this skill, preparing students to be the problem solvers, innovators, and leaders of tomorrow. Through Brainwriting, we can ensure every student is equipped with the invaluable skill of creative thinking.

Start Brainwriting now, as many ways as possible to think creatively…

About the author: Gayethri Mote is a Teacher Educator and an expert on Learning Skills at Innerscore