BRAINSTORMING sessions set up by a school computer expert are helping teachers in Sydney develop their creative streak and take innovative ideas back into the classroom.
Each month, teachers get a chance to bounce ideas around using a different brainstorming technique to come up with new activities and approaches.
The 90-minute monthly sessions are run by Ryan Chadwick, who looks after the computer systems and online Moodle learning network at Homebush Boys High School. He started the network after becoming hooked on the different brainstorming techniques and wanting to give it a go, only to find there was little on offer for educators.
“We’re learning how to be creative and how to brainstorm better,” an enthusiastic Chadwick says. “A lot of people don’t understand what brainstorming actually is – for instance the first session used Edward De Bono’s six thinking caps method and that was quite successful. We’ve also done one where we looked to understand a problem by simply continuing to ask why? That brought about some interesting ideas.”
The sessions are open to all teachers in area and start with a series of word games to get the creative juices flowing. Chadwick, who also teaches web systems and programming at the University of Technology Sydney, initially targeted high schools but is now keen to reach out to primary educators.
“I think the process could move into primary quite easily. It would help too, because we’d get a lot more ideas. Even just getting teachers from a different school, they have different perspectives, bringing primary would go even further in that effect – I can see that being very beneficial,” Chadwick adds.
Topics have ranged from laptop management for students and teachers to using Moodle. “A lot of training has been provided [by the department of education] around how to use the software on laptops, but not so much on how to manage them in the classroom.
“Rather than get some professional to come in and tell us, we’ve found it more positive...to come up with our own strategies using brainstorming techniques and get opinions from people who are actually in the classroom,” he explains.
“It’s also about developing understanding of how the creative process works; I know some of the teachers from Homebush Boys have taken [techniques from the sessions] back to their class and used them.”
The innovative approach has certainly impressed colleagues at Homebush Boys, bringing praise from principal Tim Jurd. “The brainstorming sessions...are excellent in the way they help teachers to think 'outside the square' when it comes to implementing new laptop pedagogy. Ryan has given us a great start in developing laptop lessons and managing curriculum change,” Jurd says.
Chadwick’s ultimate aim is to roll out the network across the country. “It would be great to have others do the same thing elsewhere and then we share our experiences.” Visit brainstorming.mintranet.com.au and click on the ‘brainstorming teachers’ link to find out how to get involved.
Is your school using innovative methods in the classroom? Have you set up your own project? Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the details.
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