KWL

After your team has generated as many ideas as possible, the team members should then choose their top three ideas and perform research/observation to learn more about each generated option. Research can give the team a better understanding of each idea, which can make the team more efficient when it starts focusing ideas down to the most viable options.

One of the strategy tools your team can use is the K-W-L Chart. This chart can serve as a graphic organizer to help organize and document your team’s research efforts. First, use a large surface (e.g., a blackboard, whiteboard, or flipchart) to list all the information known about the idea under the K (Know) column. Then list all the questions the team has under the W (Want to Know) column. As the team gains information and learns new things, list all the facts in the L (Learned) column. Below is a sample chart.