This document discusses brainstorming techniques for creative problem solving. It provides background on how brainstorming was developed by an advertising executive in the 1930s who found that group sessions led to more ideas than individual work. The key aspects of brainstorming are outlined as using a relaxed atmosphere to generate lateral thinking and solutions. An activity is described where students are divided into groups, with one leader following correct brainstorming rules of accepting all ideas without criticism, and another leader incorrectly criticizing some ideas. Feedback found the group following rules produced more ideas and enjoyed the process more. Correct tips are listed as accepting all ideas, generating as many as possible without criticism, to improve brainstorming results.

1. Music Enterprise & Industry
Brainstorming
chris baker
www.musicstudentinfo.com

2. Brainstorming

3. Brainstorming Background
• Advertising executive Alex F. Osborn began developing
methods for creative problem solving in 1939.
• He was frustrated by employees’ inability to develop creative
ideas individually for ad campaigns.
• In response, he began hosting group-thinking sessions and
discovered a significant improvement in the quality and
quantity of ideas produced by employees.

4. Brainstorming What is it?
• Brainstorming is a tool that uses a relaxed, informal
atmosphere combined with lateral thinking to solve
problems.
• It can be carried out in a one-session.
• No materials are required apart from a pen or pencil and
sheets of paper.

5. Brainstorming Activity
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Elicit different ways to generate new ideas.
Students are going to brainstorm to generate ideas.
Divide into two groups.
One student in each group will be a leader.

6. Brainstorming Activity Group 1
Group Leader 1 use the following tips:
•Encourage other students to contribute ideas on how to
improve this college.
•But, you do not want to waste any time.
•If a student states an idea which seems useless, tell the student
“That’s no good” or “Bad idea”, then move on to another
student.

7. Brainstorming Activity Group 2
Group 2 Leader use the following tips:
•Encourage the others to contribute ideas on how to improve
this college.
•One student in the group will write down all ideas.
•Praise contributions and don’t criticize any of the ideas.
•Make sure all ideas are accepted and written down.

8. Start Activity

9. Brainstorming Feedback
• Get feedback about the brainstorming.
• Which group produced more ideas and which group enjoyed
the activity more?
• Group leaders read out slips of paper.
• Guess which group was brainstorming the right way?

10. Brainstorming TIPS
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All ideas are accepted and written down.
Generate as many ideas as possible.
Unusual, even seemingly irrelevant ideas are welcome.
You may use others ideas and expand on them.
Criticism is banned at this stage.

11. Brainstorming Further Practice
• Using these rules brainstorm other topics.
• Choose the three best ideas and write them down.