One facilitation strategy we use in our workshops and bootcamps is Think-Write-Pair-Share to encourage participation and collaboration.
Enhance Collaboration With Think-Write-Pair-Share
One facilitation strategy we use for our workshops is the “Think-Write-Pair-Share” strategy. It is a powerful technique for refining ideas that starts with each person capturing their ideas privately and ends with a group critique and feedback in our workshops. Teams can also use it as a more effective approach to brainstorming.
This discussion technique allows people the opportunity to respond to questions in written form before engaging in meaningful conversations with peers. Writing and discussing ideas with a partner before sharing with the larger group results in more thoughtful discussions and encourages greater participation and collaboration.
SKMurphy Take on Think-Write-Pair-Share
I first learned this technique at a talk Doug Hall gave at an Inventor’s Alliance meeting on Sat-Feb-11-2006 at de Anza College. It was one of those “I’ve been doing it wrong” moments. At the time I could find very little written about it but we incorporated it into our workshops immediately. This technique goe by many names, I believe Doug called it “Brainwriting” when he explained it. Here are some references that you may find helpful if you want to use this technique for your teams:
- Liberating Structures See 1-2-4-All
- TWPS Template from Spark101.org: https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/4-TWPS_Template.pdf
- These Use writing but omit dialog
- Arthur B VanGundy: Instructions for Brainwriting
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6-3-5_Brainwriting
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