Idea generation can be tough when it is just you and a computer or book sitting in an empty room. Information is available at your fingertips, but how do concepts connect? What do you think about an issue? What led you to draw those conclusions? Often, students find themselves sitting and staring at the assignment, spacing out, or looking for anything else to do.
Finding a brainstorm partner can make a BIG difference. A classmate, tutor, friend, parent, or significant other who is willing to listen and ask questions can help you clarify your thoughts, process difficult concepts, or come up with new ideas.
Ask someone if it is okay for you to bounce ideas off of him or her. Meet for coffee or at a library. Respect his or her time and set a limit for your meeting - time limits are good for you, too; it is easy to spend a lot of time brainstorming. Describe your assignment to your partner. Let him or her know that you only expect a listening ear and someone to affirm ideas or ask clarifying questions.
Special thanks to the Tutor Training students at LWIT who helped generate the ides for this post.
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