Pre-planning essentially begins with brainstorming. And, there are more effective ways to brainstorm than other. For example, you don’t want to brainstorm to the point that it inhibits creativity, right?

According to Effective Brainstorming, a Whitepaper from idfive: Informed Design, collaboration is still the best way to achieve results, BUT we need to follow “mature guidelines”. Here is a summary of their steps to effective brainstorming which also leads to discovered value:

1. Beware the extrovert bias
   This means introverts have often been the best thinkers in history, but animated and outspoken individuals often get the attention. Giving attention to the extroverted members limits (often brilliant) possibilities that the “quiet” introverted collaborators can contribute. Allow the introverts among your team some time and include them in all decision making.
2. Challenge assumptions and falsify
   Don’t silence debate; it will limit diverse perspectives and critical thinking. It’s OK to act like a scientist and try to get to the truth through eliminating those things that are false.
3. Build consensus for hard data
   To help keep competing egos and opinions at bay, begin with the facts.
4. Utilize relationships, don’t ignore them
   Use existing positive personal dynamics to move your project/entry forward.
5. Foster genuine, not enforced, respect
   We all have egos and differences will arise.Therefore, be sure to earn respect through the way you communicate during those moments of debate. Respectful communication delivers positive results vs. disrespectful communication.

TRIO Quest believes that these helpful guidelines will not only be helpful during pre-planning, but during production, and post-production as well. These steps will also help you lead in other areas of your life.

To see the entire whitepaper, go to:
http://idfive.com/insight/whitepapers/effective-brainstorming

I typed in the following key words for Digital Storytelling Best Practices:

Digital Storytelling, Storyboard, Script, Purpose, Inform, Convince, Provoke, Question?, Audience, First Draft, Narration, Point of View, Storyboard, Visual Layout, Background Music, Cohesiveness, Media, Free Media Resources, Organize Components, Record, Tools, iMovie, Final Cut, Windows Movie Maker, Photo Story, Assemble Media, and Edit.

I don’t know about you but just reading the text is BORING!!! But put these words into Wordle.net and these are two of the countless images I could use!!

For more information on Wordle.net go to
http://depts.washington.edu/triolive/wordpress/ttt/archives/791
Have fun Word-el-ing!!!

And for more information on Digital Storytelling Best Practices, the following are great resources!

Center for Digital Storytelling

Developing Digital Storytelling with Students

The Future of Storytelling

Digital Storytelling Best Practices

And, now we move forward to TRIO Quest 2012. As always, we look back to see what we can do to improve and what we can do to support TRIO programs and their students. The usual questions are asked: What does TRIO Quest offer to the community? What would TRIO programs like to see in future competitions? These questions were, in fact, asked of participating 2011 TRIO programs and those comments are shaping a new look and process in 2012!

Here is what you said when asked : What does TRIO Quest offer to the community?
Your comments resulted in three clear topics: opportunity, skills development, and intrinsic rewards.

TRIO staff liked the opportunity to work with students through project-based learning, authentic investigation, real world technology, and higher order thinking; they also like building a relationship with students to work together to build a measurable product. In addition, they liked that TRIO students had the opportunity to showcase their skills, learn by doing, work toward a purpose/goal, receive national recognition, learn current tools and cutting edge technologies, and make a difference in their community.

TRIO staff liked that students developed skills in technology enrichment, including Cloud technologies. It was also important that students developed skills in academic research, writing, real world problem investigation/problem solving and higher order thinking.

Finally, TRIO staff liked the intrinsic rewards that TRIO Quest brings: empowerment, motivation, enjoyment in learning, incentives toward reaching for excellence, feeling of accomplishment/self-worth, not feeling disenfranchised, and the realization they could possibly impact their peers/community.

And, here is what you said when asked : What would you like to see in 2012?
From this question we learned what you wanted and what we can do to improve.

We learned overwhelming, you wanted more of the same – the same opportunities, resources, and support that you have received in the past. But, we also learned that there are three areas where you desired change: simplification of process, more resources/opportunities, and specific information about student awards.

We want you to know that hear you! At this time, without changing the elements of the 2011 competition, we are redesigning our TRIO Quest 2012 site to offer a straightforward approach/process, updated resources, and more opportunities for TRIO staff and students. We are trying hard to meet your requests and will begin with what was requested most : a straightforward process.

Please take a moment and check-out a draft example of a new home page, 2012 TQ Overview, which strives to eliminate redundant pages and focus on three simple steps: Register, Create, Submit. Our goal is to start from a Home page where you’ll find links to straightforward steps as well as easy access to resources. Let us know what you think.

And watch for the complete unveiling of TRIO Quest 2012 soon!!

Note: The TRIO Quest blog is monitored. The TQ Support staff will review comments and polls daily and will post all responses that are appropriate. Any response with inappropriate content or language will not be posted.