Synectics can be used in a variety of teaching and learning situations. Here are a few suggestions to help you plan and begin to incorporate synectics in the classroom.
1. Classroom Environment
Before beginning to use synectics, it is important that there is a feeling of cooperation in the classroom and students feel the openness to explore new ideas in a non-judgmental way. Class and group discussions are very important in allowing students to discuss and share their ideas with others.
2. Picking a strategy
Decide on the type of synectic you want your students to use: comparing, classifying, metaphors, analogies (see examples for details)
3. Brainstorming
Brainstorming is the backbone of synectics. Students can work as a class, groups, pairs, and even individually. Brainstorming allows students to discover what they know already about the topic and explore their own thoughts and ideas about the connections between subjects. The teacher becomes the facilitator guiding the process and assessing students for understanding.
4. Using Graphic Organizers
A variety of resources can be used to record student responses. However, graphic organizers are a a good way to help students make connections regardless of what synectics strategy you are using. Graphic organizers help students visualize and categorize similarities and differences or make connections between themes and objects. (see examples page for examples.
5. Assessment and Evaluation
Decide on what and how you are going to assess student understanding and whether or not you will use some sort of evaluation tool.
