This is an excellent technique to help participants create new problem perspectives. Its focus on abstract levels of a problem can prompt ideas normally not possible with conventional approaches.
Emphasize how this technique differs from all of the others in that it is designed to remove the obstacles we often face by becoming too close to our problems—becoming too familiar, so that our very understanding of challenges works against us in resolving them. Ask group members to provide examples from their lives of similar situations and to discuss the validity of this premise.
Also consider having participants debrief using the following questions:
• What was most helpful about this exercise?
• What was most challenging?
• What can we apply?
• How would you rate the value of this exercise to helping us with this issue?
• Will this exercise be helpful in the future for other sessions?
• What did you learn?
• What will we be able to use from this exercise?
• What ideas were generated, and which ones were most interesting?
Free Association Activities: “Blue Skies” 179
Taken From : Pfeiffer 101 Activities for Teaching Creativity
September 12th, 2009 at 6:45 am
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