Brainstorming Method — Teacher Trainees
Brainstorming Method
Learn how to generate ideas, encourage creative thinking, solve classroom problems and plan engaging learning activities using the brainstorming method.
Suitable for B.Ed. and teacher education students · Includes classroom examples and a scored self-test
What is the brainstorming method?
Brainstorming is a group or individual creative-thinking technique in which participants generate as many relevant ideas as possible in response to a problem, question or challenge. Ideas are recorded first and evaluated later.
Purpose
To explore different possibilities, activate prior knowledge and generate potential solutions to a problem.
Core principle
Separate idea generation from evaluation so learners feel safe sharing original or unusual suggestions.
Teacher's role
Set a clear question, facilitate participation, record ideas neutrally and guide later analysis.
Important principles of brainstorming
These ground rules help create a supportive environment where learners can contribute without fear of embarrassment.
Quantity before quality
Invite many possible ideas before trying to select the best ones.
Defer judgement
Do not ridicule, dismiss or immediately criticise ideas during generation.
Welcome unusual ideas
Uncommon suggestions can inspire new approaches and combinations.
Build on ideas
Participants may combine, extend or adapt one another's contributions.
Record contributions
Make ideas visible so the group can review and organise them later.
Evaluate afterwards
After generating ideas, assess relevance, feasibility, safety and evidence.
How to conduct a brainstorming session
Use these steps when planning a lesson, solving a classroom challenge or introducing a new topic.
Identify the problem or question
Choose a clear, open-ended prompt that learners can understand.
- Example: “How can we reduce plastic waste in our school?”
- Avoid questions that can be answered only with yes or no.
Explain the ground rules
Tell learners to contribute freely, respect one another and postpone criticism until the idea-generation stage ends.
Generate ideas
Give learners a short, focused period to think and share ideas. Begin with silent writing if some learners may hesitate to speak.
Record all relevant ideas
Write contributions on the board, sticky notes or a shared digital document. Clarify meaning without judging the idea.
Group similar ideas
Organise the contributions into themes, such as recycling, reducing consumption, awareness and school policies.
Evaluate and select
Discuss which ideas are relevant, practical, safe, affordable and likely to work. Explain the reasons for the final selection.
Plan action and reflect
Convert the selected idea into a plan. Review what learners contributed and how the process could improve next time.
Example for teacher trainees
Topic: “How can we make our classroom more inclusive and engaging?”
From a question to a classroom action
A teacher trainee asks an open question, invites all learners to contribute and postpones evaluation until the idea list is complete.
Examples across school subjects
- Science: How can we conserve water at school?
- Mathematics: Where do we use fractions in daily life?
- Language: Generate alternative endings to a story.
- Social science: How can a community reduce traffic congestion?
- Environmental education: How can we improve biodiversity in the school garden?
Ways to support every learner
- Allow silent individual thinking before open discussion.
- Use pair work or small groups before whole-class sharing.
- Accept spoken, written, drawn or digital contributions.
- Use round-robin turns so a few learners do not dominate.
- Offer sentence starters and adequate thinking time.
Advantages and limitations
Brainstorming is useful when applied thoughtfully, but it is not the best method for every learning objective.
✓ Advantages
- Encourages creativity and divergent thinking.
- Activates prior knowledge and learner interest.
- Can support collaboration and communication.
- Produces a range of possible solutions quickly.
- Can be adapted for individual, pair or group work.
! Limitations and solutions
- Dominant speakers: use silent writing and structured turns.
- Fear of judgement: agree on respectful ground rules.
- Unfocused ideas: keep the question specific and visible.
- Misconceptions: verify ideas against reliable evidence.
- No follow-through: finish with selection, action and reflection.
Self-test: Brainstorming Method
Answer all 10 multiple-choice questions. Select one answer for each question, then click “Check my answers” to see your score and explanations.
Quick revision
Is brainstorming a teaching method or a technique?
It is commonly described as a creative-thinking technique or classroom strategy. It can be incorporated into a broader teaching method or lesson design.
Should the teacher correct wrong ideas immediately?
During initial idea generation, the teacher generally postpones judgement to encourage participation. Afterwards, ideas should be examined and misconceptions corrected using evidence.
Can brainstorming be done individually?
Yes. Learners can first brainstorm individually, then share ideas in pairs or groups. Individual writing can improve participation for learners who need more thinking time.
How can a teacher assess brainstorming?
Assess participation, relevance, originality, collaboration, reasoning and the quality of later evaluation. Avoid grading learners only by the number of ideas they produce.
Think freely. Share respectfully. Evaluate wisely.
Use brainstorming to create a classroom where learners' ideas become starting points for inquiry.
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