Goal
- Participants gain an overview about the different aspects they associate with the different topics
- They inform each other on the diversity of associations with certain topics in their group or team
Preparation
Make sure that learners are in a relaxed and focused mood. Background music or inspiring decorations in the learning space may support this. For each group of three/four people, prepare 5 to 7 sheets with one word on each sheet in the center (font-size 36pt). Example words might include:
Steps
1. From small groups with 3 or 4 participants. While 2 or 3 people sit back-to-back on the floor, the third/fourth person receives a sheet with words.
2. The person with the sheet reads the first word out loud. The other 2 participants make free associations between the words, speaking them out loud. The person reading writes down the associations on the paper.
3. After 1 minute another is read and the process is repeated with all of the 5 to 7 sheets.
Reflection
Ask participants to analyze their word clouds.
- Which are the five most important or interesting associations on each sheet? Mark them.
Handbook for Facilitators: Creativity Handbook
This text was published in: N. Zimmermann (ed.), E. Leondieva (ed.), M. Gawinek-Dagargulia (ed.) (2018). Creativity Handbook. Building connections, drawing inspirations & exploring opportunities as individuals & groups.Competendo Handbook for Facilitators.
Nils-Eyk Zimmermann
Editor of Competendo. He writes and works on the topics: active citizenship, civil society, digital transformation, non-formal and lifelong learning, capacity building. Coordinator of European projects, in example DIGIT-AL Digital Transformation in Adult Learning for Active Citizenship, DARE network.
Blogs here: Blog: Civil Resilience.
Email: nils.zimmermann@dare-network.eu
Marta Anna Gawinek-Dagargulia
Facilitator, coordinator of empowerment programs, author and program manager in the fields of cultural activism and civi education. Lives in Warsaw (Poland), head of SKORO association.
Experiences
This method is a good starting point for a second step. For example, the most important aspects might be used for a project concept or as the main topic of an article.