DeBono’s Lateral Thinking

Definition:	DeBono has created many strategies to help improve lateral thinking. Lateral thinking is approaching an idea in a different way that is not obvious.
Skills Necessary:	Students need to be patient when trying to use this strategy to come up with new ideas. It will take time for students to develop this way of thinking because it is so different. Also, students need to identify different approaches to a problem or task.
Implementation in the Classroom:	In my classroom, I would do the creative pause. During lessons that I would teach, I would pause during the lesson and consider another approach to it. I may allow my students help decide which way the lesson should go. I would also use this creative pause during writing. I believe that this approach involves met cognition, which can be very positive for student learning.

Morphological Synthesis

Morphological Synthesis
Definition:	Morphological Synthesis is like attribute listing, but instead, this approach deals with only two main ideas. These ideas are categorized and put into a grid.
Skills Necessary:	Students need to be able to pick two main ideas that correlate with each other to solve a problem or to create a product.
Implementation in the Classroom:	Starko’s favorite activity with this approach was creating recipes with biscuit mix. On one part of the grid, there was different way biscuits could be made. The other side of the grid had different foods that could go with biscuits to make it a meal. A simple activity like this would really help the students understand the concept of morphological synthesis.

Attribute Listing

Definition:	Like brainstorming, attribute listing is a strategy for generating new ideas; however, with this approach, the product or problem can be divided into attributes. These characteristics can help students see the bigger picture of the product or problem.
Skills Necessary:	Students need to be able to identify the key attributes of a particular problem or product. Also, they need to be able to organize their ideas in a way that others can use these attributes as a tool. Critical thinking is needed to put different attributes together to create a new product or to fix a problem.
Implementation in the Classroom:	Attribute Listing can be used in all subject areas because of the idea of separating key attributes. Identify these attributes is the first step to success. In the classroom, I would introduce a new product such as an Ipod and have the students list the key attributes it may have. For example, the attributes may include shape, color, size, format, etc. As a class, we would discuss the different shapes it could have and so on. There have been many models of Ipods within the last six years. Students will be able to make these connections to the lesson. After we have listed them as a class, I would have their ideas displayed on the board. They would need to create their own Ipod based on the attributes they like and which ones would work well together. This lesson would be an introduction to this idea.

SCAMPER

Definition:	SCAMPER was Osborn’s idea. He came up with this acronym to ask questions that lead to divergent thinking. The acronym means: S: substitute C: combine A: adapt M: modify P: purpose E: eliminate R: rearrange or reverse With each letter, anyone can ask a question about an object to make it better.
Skills Necessary:	Students need to be able to critical think regarding SCAMPER. In order for this approach to work, students also need to find problems, so they can solve it using SCAMPER as a guide.
Implementation in the Classroom:	In the classroom, I would split the class into four groups. For each group, I would bring a different electronic device.  Some devices include a few different cell phones, laptop, headphones, Ipod, and a game controller.  Each group would have to brainstorm ideas using the SCAMPER method how to improve these devices. Some groups (more skilled students) would have more recent technology such as a smart phone. With newer technology, they have to find problems that need to improve, which will be more difficult. This project would be last for week.  They would brainstorm ideas for each letter on the first day. The second and third, day they would finalize their ideas on how to improve the device. The fourth day would be to create a presentation of their new and improved product. They would need to describe the problems they found in the device and how they have improved the product. The fifth day would be the student presentations.

Brainstorming

Definition:	Brainstorming is a discussion to generate new ideas. According to Starko (2011), there are four rules regarding brainstorming: 1) There is no criticism until all ideas have been discussed. 2) Wild ideas are welcome; these ideas can lead to a successful notion. 3) There should be many ideas being discussed. 4) Combining ideas can lead to a successful idea. This rule is described as a team effort.
Skills Necessary:	There are only a few skills necessary for brainstorming. Students must be willing to follow the four rules as mentioned above. They also need communication skills to present their ideas to the group. Critical thinking is another skill needed.
Implementation in the Classroom:	Brainstorming is such a powerful tool for students to learn. As a teacher, I would do a class brainstorming session about fixing a problem in our classroom. For example, our classroom is too messy. How can we keep it neat? I would list the rules of brainstorming to the students. They would brainstorm ideas about how to make our classroom clean. I would write the ideas on the board until we had many to choose from. After, we would see which ideas had the most potential and which ones we could combine to generate a new idea. Keeping all of the rules in mind, the class would decide what ideas were the best. This lesson would be my introduction to brainstorming. It would also show my expectations of the students when I give them brainstorming activities as groups. I would have the four rules of brainstorming listed in my classroom, so students can use it as a reference.