Divergent thinking

represents the potential

for creative thinking and problem solving. It is not synonymous with actual creative behavior but has

proven to be a good estimate of it. It is also useful as a

construct or empirical research on creativity and in various applied settings.

- Encyclopedia of Creativity -

Solves Open-ended problems

Overcomes Mental fixation

Fosters Critical thinking

Promotes Flexibility & Originality

Brainstorming

SCAMPER

Six Thinking Hats

Brainstorming is a group creativity technique by which a group tries

to find a solution for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas
spontaneously generated by its members. Brainstorming was developed and coined by Alex Faickney Osborn in 1953 in the book Applied Imagination.

Rules of Brainstorming

1 2 3 4 5

Postpone and withhold your judgment of ideas.

Encourage wild and exaggerated ideas.

Quantity counts at this stage, not quality. Build on the ideas put forward by others. Every person and every idea has equal worth.
Infinite Innovations Ltd.

SCAMPER : a technique people can use to spark their creativity and help them overcome any challenge they may be facing.

Combine

Adapt

Substitute

SCAMPER

Modify/ Minify

Rearrange/ Reverse

Eliminate

Put to other use

Six Thinking Hats :

is a simple, effective parallel thinking process that helps people be more productive, focused, and mindfully involved. And once learned, the tools can be applied immediately!

Videos featuring Six Hats Presentation http://www.debonogroup.com/video_4.php

Videos featuring Edward de Bono Creative Thinking http://www.debonogroup.com/video_2.php

Thinking about thinking

Information Feelings

Creativity

- Edward De Bono

6 thinking hats

Benefits Judgement

Question: Do you think math class always involves convergent thinking?

No! Math can also apply other domains.

How can we apply Divergent Thinking if the math unit is

Data analysis and Probability ?

After learning basic concepts of this unit,

Do the activities which can foster students creativity through divergent thinking.

Suggested Activity 1 : Let students search any data and graph used in our society. Students can find them in newspapers, magazines, and internet news. Through this activity, students will learn how math subject applies to other fields.

Apply the knowledge in science!

Suggested Activity 2 : Let students have a scientific experiment, for example, physical and chemical changes in a science lab. Then students will make a data table and a graph based on the result. Through this activity, students can learn how they can record the data and make graphs.

My Data Project

Suggested Activity 3
: Let students design their own data project. Through this activity, students will learn how they can collect data and make different kinds of graphs. This activity, in particular, fosters students creativity.

Bell, B. (2007). Finding Meaning (3rd ed.). Portland, Oregon: Blue Fox Communications. Holliday, K. (1998). Modeling divergent thinking through picture books. Roeper Review . John, B. (1993). Creativity and Divergent Thinking: A Task-Specific Approach. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Meyerhoff, M. (2008). Convergent versus divergent thinking. (Perspectives on Parenting)(Report). Pediatrics for Parents. Runco, M. A. (1993). Divergent Thinking, Creativity, and Giftedness. Gifted Child Quarterly. Runco, M. A. (2001). Flexibility and originality in childrens divergent thinking. The Journal of Psychology.

Starko, A. (2005). Creativity in the classroom- Schools of Curious Delight-.

Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.