Brain in Business

I also saw this article and tried it during an IT session. Rather than doodling I gave them a mandala to colour in. Probably not a good choice!

The mandalas were quite detailed and I found the participants more interested in finding a different colour pen than the content of the course! One of them who had struggled to keep his concentration in the previous two sessions did say how much he enjoyed that one but wasn't sure he had actually learnt anything.

I'm going to try it again with simple outlines (eyes, trees, clouds) that are only half completed to encourage doodling and colouring.

Obviously this where subject matter placemats come into play. I'd be interested how Vanessa decides what to put on them.

Hi Hazel - I'd certainly be using simple subject/session specific graphics on any placemat; you're absolutely spot on with that thought. I'd include some key words or short phrases that participants can shade in or embellish in whatever way takes their fancy. Whilst the conscious mind concentrates on shading in, the unconscious mind is making meaning of the words and how they relate to the session. I'd also make the placemats an integral part of the session from time to time by providing short bursts of intrapersonal time where participants are encouraged to review their own learning and do some thinking about how they will use it. To help with this, create some space on the placemat where participants are invited to write/draw/express their views, ideas or actions as well as shade in shapes and words. Perhaps invite participants to openly discuss their placemats at the end of the session as a visual and verbal way of evaluating the session. Display them around the room and invite people to 'walk the walls' and summarise what the session's been about from the placemats. I think I should stop now!! I hope this is helpful. It's great to hear you're trying out this way of working.

Hi Vanessa

Thanks for your reply. I'm pleased that my thought process is heading in the right direction!

As for colouring in words, I've explored Wordle which Stella refers to in another posting. This is a great tool for creating the words. [See my attached attempt relating to our CRM system. It is possible to have the words laid out in a more vertical/horizontal format if preferred.] file size too big to load

I had not thought on making the placemats a proactive part of the session which will be better in a situation where the computer keyboard takes up most of the desk space.

Thanks again.

Hi Vanessa and Hazel,
I started to reply to this the other night and my system went down. NOw I'm pleased my response wasn't posted as Vanessa's is much more intelligent.
I've thought about using Wordles in a similar way to word searches so that people have to identify key words of what they've learnt. I think the wordles can be done in black and white so you could certainly use them as something for people to doodle on.
Happy doodling.
Stella

Hi all,
More info about why visual learning is so important.
An interesting talk on Ted.com about what's happening in the brain when we use visual images - this could be useful to you if you want to justify why you've asked someone to draw something, why you're suggesting your team drops 'death by bulletpoint', or if you'd like to get someone like Vanessa Randle to come and do some graphical facilitation.
www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/tom_wujec_on_...creates_meaning.html

go and have a look and listen!
regards,
Stella