Techniques of Teaching Science-Brain storming & Buzz session

Techniques of Teaching Science-Brain storming & Buzz session

(Small group Techniques)

Prepared by

SABARISH-P

M.Sc., M.Ed., JRF & NET

Assistant professor in Physical Science, Arafa Institute for Teacher Education

Attur, Thrissur.

Brainstorming

            This is a strategy for generating ideas.  In a classroom, the teacher can select a problem-oriented topic and ask the students to express themselves freely on various aspects of the topic.  The teacher assures the students that their expression will not be criticized or commented upon a negative way.  The views/opinions of the participants would not be viewed as relevant or irrelevant but the students are encouraged to come out with their ideas, opinions, feelings, expressions and comments.  Brainstorming, founded in 1953 was popularized by A.F.Osborn.

Procedure

            Brainstorming is an instructional procedure similar in many ways to an exploratory discussion.  Brainstorming is used to generate a wide variety of creative ideas concerning a problem in a short period of time.  The major purpose is to stimulate thinking and bring out a range of ideas.  Students are encouraged to come up with exciting and radical ideas without fear of criticism or evaluation.  The strategy is easily operationalised. 

·         Divide the class into small groups consisting of 5 to 8 members.  Let them select a record and a chairperson. 

·         Explain the basic rules of brainstorming. 

·         Present the issue to be brainstormed.  The recorder should record all ideas.  Brainstorming does not include critical judgement and/or editing of ideas. 

·         At the first stage of brainstorming, even far out or wild ideas are also accepted.

·         After students have had sufficient time to generate ideas, list all ideas on a chalkboard. 

·         A number of creative activities can be framed out of the brainstorming session such as presentation, discussion of ideas and making bulletin board displays.

For encouraging creative thinking and co-operation, brainstorming is an excellent strategy.

Guidelines for using brainstorming

1.         Identify the problem or issue to be brainstormed and present it in simple language.

2.         Write everything down; do not judge it or evaluate the ideas.

3.         Consider using more than one recorder so that no ideas are lost.

4.         Emphasize some basic rules, which should be enforced.

Stages in brainstorming

1.         Warm-up :Attracting the members to the subject, arousing their interest and preparing them for free expression is the first stage.  This is the duty of the anchor.  The teacher can act as the anchor at the beginning to give an idea of this role to the student.  The warm-up can be done through the narration of an appealing incident or a short story.

2.         Ideation: This stage is of free expression of ideas.  Ensure that all ideas are recorded.

3.         Evaluation : In this stage, ideas expressed are evaluated.  Using the criterion formed through discussion, each idea is evaluated and the appropriate idea for problem solving is found out.

Principle of brainstorming

            Brainstorming, to become effective is carried out on the basis of four principles.

a.         Free wheeling : Once started, the brainstorming session should progress like the lubricated wheel.  That is, expression of opinions should be possible without interruption.  The idea may irrational, comical or strange.  But all such ideas may be accepted.

b.         No criticism : It must be ensured that expressions and gestures do not reflect a critical attitude.

c.         Quantity breeds quality : The more number of ideas generated, the number of qualitative ideas alos increase.  Hence maximum number of ideas should be collected.  Each person may be given opportunity to present ideas agian.  Prompting those students who remain silent, without hindering others is the duty of the anchor.

Rules

            1.  No judgement or evaluation of ideas

            2.  The sky is the limit. (thinking is unlimited)

            3.  The more ideas, the better.

            4.  Keep the brainstorming process informal and relaxed.

            5.  Record all ideas.

            6.  Use brainstorming when a lot of ideas are needed, or when time is limited.

Merits

            1.  It makes the pupil creative and innovative.

            2.  It gives opportunity for pupils for analyzing and solving a problem.

            3.  Useful in problem oriented themes.

            4.  Recording of all ideas of pupils is considered.

            5.  Encourages participation and can be used by all students.

Demerits

            1.  Difficulty in selecting a problem oriented topic

            2.  Problem of discipline

            3.  Lack of adequate library and laboratory

            4.  Finding out a tentative solution is challenging.

Ø  Buzz Session

            In buzz sessions, we allot a fixed amount of time for the students to discuss a problem or a task in a small group (in pairs, or in threes).  Clear instructions may be given so that the discussions are productive.  The efficiency of such a session would be enhanced by the teacher moving around and getting a feel of the discussions without interrupting.  Once the small groups finalise the solutions to the problem, the representative of the group reports back to the teacher.  The teacher has to compile all the reports and provide his judgement to the students.

            Buzz session can be organized in a regular class of large strength or form group among the students and ask the groups to take their leisure time to discuss their problem and report back to you.  This is called “Buzz session” because group “buzz” like bees while discussing the problem.The uniqueness of Buzz session is that it is useful in deriving creative and innovative solutions to tasks and problems.    

Merits

1.         Develops classroom interaction

2.         Gives training the discussion

3.         Teacher becomes an active participant.

4.         Develops skills among pupils.

Demerits

1.         Time consuming.

2.         Difficulty in forming groups in class.

3.         Most of the students lack initiativeness

Ø  SMALL GROUP TECHNIQUES

             “A group” in a class comprises of members having common academic goals, similar academic background and more or less similar age.

            Small group techniques of providing group-controlled learning experiences are:

            1.         Buzz Session

            2.         Brain Storming

Ø  Distinction between Buzz Session and Brainstorming

Buzz Session	Brain storming
There is criticism of ideas presented by members	No criticism
Members may not express their ideas freely	Members can express their ideas freely
Controlled by supporteurs	Controlled by anchor
Group size 5 or 7	Large Group
Time consuming since there is discussion of unsolved problems	Less time is required compared to Buzz session