| How useful are graphic organizers such as mind | | | | structure, or classify the ideas. It can show how |
| maps and Venn diagrams to brainstorming? | | | | one idea feeds into another, etc. |
| There are those who equate brainstorming to | | | | Concept mapping is structurally different in that |
| coming up with a series of terrific ideas that help | | | | the key concept is placed at the top of a chart |
| us get something done or some problem solved, | | | | and many other concepts are added below. It can |
| and on the levels of simplicity, there is truth to | | | | often help to stimulate learning in the sciences and |
| that. In some circles, the concept of brainstorming | | | | other subjects. It is also used to represent the |
| is also referred to as idea management or | | | | expert knowledge of teams for business or even |
| creative thinking. | | | | government projects. |
| Yet, brainstorming, especially when done in a | | | | Then there is the Venn diagram, which has been |
| group setting, is much more precise and | | | | in existence since 1880. The Venn diagram is |
| organized. There are tools and techniques that | | | | named after its inventor, John Venn. Venn |
| have been developed to help minimize a random | | | | diagrams are used quite extensively in a number |
| brainstorming approach, and instead develop it into | | | | of fields to help show all the possible relations |
| a precise technique. These tools help an individual | | | | between groups of things. They can be used in as |
| or a group to focus on a problem, and then very | | | | complex of settings as logic, statistics, set theory |
| deliberately develop creative solutions to that | | | | and probability, or as simple a setting as a |
| problem. | | | | brainstorming session to determine and visualize |
| Some of the more common tools used in the | | | | possible relationships within that specific creative |
| brainstorming process are graphic organizers like | | | | problem solving arena. |
| mind maps and Venn diagrams. These tools are | | | | As the web develops and grows, it is now |
| most useful when the brainstorming process is | | | | possible to locate templates or research possible |
| being embarked upon by a group. | | | | tools to buy or create these various graphic |
| Chief among the brainstorming graphic organizers | | | | organizers. For example, there are a number of |
| are the mind map and Venn Diagram. There are | | | | websites where one can download mind mapping |
| also the KWL tables, which although this graphic | | | | and concept mapping charts, as well as Venn |
| organizer is often used as a creative tool in a | | | | Diagram templates. It is possible to make these |
| learning environment. The KWL Table for example | | | | items on one’s own computer, but many |
| is very often used by instructors KWL is an | | | | have found the ease in downloading these various |
| acronym for What We Know. | | | | graphic organizers to be much swifter and |
| The mind map helps one to see how the key | | | | definitely more efficient especially when you take |
| word radiates out from a centralized point. The | | | | into consideration that their primary goal is to use |
| mind map is a diagram that one draws by placing | | | | the mind maps and Venn diagrams in their |
| the key word in the center and then mapping out | | | | brainstorming not have to first create those |
| radially all the words, ideas, tasks or other items | | | | graphic organizers to that they can finally get on |
| that are linked to that key word or key idea. It | | | | to the higher goal of brainstorming. |
| can help the brainstorming group visualize, | | | | |