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Music, Movement and the Grey Matter (Training Exercise) |
I want to suggest a fun way to do brainstorming by simply adding the elements of music and movement. We could call it musical kinetic brainstorming or perhaps MKB or better yet let's not give it a name and be content with the fact that it's fun and can improve the way we train.
To begin, you'll be asking your class to participate in a brainstorming exercise in which they will be able to express their individual thoughts on a proposed question. The exercise requires about 25 minutes to complete, works best with 20 to 30 participants and all you need are a number of flipcharts (3 or 4), plenty of magic markers, some music (2 upbeat songs), and some willing participants. It is fairly easy to set up, and works well when you need to get your groups up and moving around.
 Start by positioning the flipcharts around the room. Participants will be moving from chart to chart so leave plenty of room to walk, or stroll or maybe even dance between them. At the top of each chart, in large letters, write an incomplete brainstorming thought. For example "EXCELLENT TRAINING MUST BE ...", or "THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC OF A GREAT TEAM IS..." You may consider several such unfinished sentences and write one at the top of each flipchart. Split your class into two groups. You may even decide to allow individuals to decide which group they might like to be in. Have the first group stand and divide up among the available flipcharts (There should be about 3 – 4 people at each chart). Inform your participants that you will begin playing some music, and the first group will listen and can move to the music at their first flipchart. When they have an idea (AS INDIVIDUALS, NOT THROUGH GROUP DISCUSSION) that completes your brainstorming question (One that they feel absolutely passionate about) have them write it down (one or two words) on the right side of the flipchart (Make sure you ask your participants to grab a marker before starting the music). After they jot down their first thought, tell them to begin moving to the next chart. They can be walking, strolling or even dancing to the beat of the music (allowing the music to inspire their thoughts). Again upon reaching the next chart they can write another idea, but if they draw a blank, it's okay to continue moving on to the next chart and so on (Suggest that they only write one idea per flipchart so that the room keeps moving, and participants don't "bottleneck" at any one chart). Stop the music when everyone has had a chance to share an idea or two or three.
Now have your second group get up in the same manner (divided between the flipcharts), and again begin some different (upbeat) music. Ask that they move from chart to chart and initial (left side of chart) any of the ideas already expressed, that they feel passionate about, i.e. – Excellent Training must be ... INTERACTIVE ....... G.T. It's also okay for more than one person to place their initials next to an idea. The only criteria is that they feel passionate about the idea.
After your second group has completed the rounds, begin your program discussion. Select items that have been initialed several times, and ask those individuals why they feel so strongly about what was written. Ask the originator of the idea to comment on why they believe so passionately about what they wrote. Ask when and where in their lives they came to believe so strongly about this idea. Ask the entire group to comment on any thoughts they see on the charts that interests them. Ask if they were inspired by the music and if it was helpful to be moving while they contemplated their thoughts. |
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