Starbursting

Starbursting

Skill Description: “Starbursting is a form of brainstorming that focuses on generating questions rather than answers” (MindTools, 2012).  When people generate these questions, they support previous the previous questions and answer to create a systematic approach.

Procedures: “Step 1 Download our free worksheet and print it out or take a large sheet of paper, draw a large six-pointed star in the middle, and write your idea, product or challenge in the center. Step 2 Write the words "Who", "What", "Why," "Where," "When" and "How" at the tip of each point of the star. Step 3 Brainstorm questions about the idea or product starting with each of these words. The questions radiate out from the central star. Don't try to answer any of the questions as you go along. Instead, concentrate on thinking up as many questions as you can. Step 4 Depending on the scope of the exercise, you may want to have further starbursting sessions to explore the answers to these initial questions further. Figure 1 below shows some of the questions you might generate in a short starbursting session, focused on the skates mentioned above” (MindTools, 2012).

Lesson Activities: When teachers are teaching students about a new or ambiguous concept, they can have class discussions following the procedures. They can evaluate new products that are being used in society – such as an Ipad. They also can use worksheets that are available on the site below for students to generate their own ideas and questions based a product. Starbursting is a systematic approach that will help students learn how to generate supportive questions. You can download a worksheet for Stabursting at this website: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_91.htm

Reference: 2012., Starbursting. MindTools. Retrieved on November 16, 2012 from        http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_91.htm