Sticky-Note Clustering
Sticky-Note Clustering is a collaborative activity where students generate ideas individually and then work together to categorize and organize them. This activity combines brainstorming with critical thinking to deepen understanding of a topic.
How It Works
- Present students with a question or problem, such as: What are the key factors influencing climate change?
- Provide each student with 3–4 sticky notes (physical or digital) and ask them to write one idea per note.
- Students stick their notes on a board or wall (or a shared digital workspace, like Jamboard or Miro).
- As a group, students collaboratively sort the notes into categories, discussing the rationale for each grouping.
- Optional: Have students label categories and present their final organization to the class.
Example
In a marketing course, students brainstorm strategies for promoting a new product. Sticky notes are sorted into categories like “Digital Marketing,” “Traditional Media,” and “Word-of-Mouth.”
Why It’s Effective
- Combines divergent thinking (idea generation) with convergent thinking (categorization).
- Encourages collaboration and negotiation among students.
- Helps students see connections and patterns in a complex set of ideas.
Adaptations
- Online: Use digital tools like Padlet to simulate sticky notes. Students can move and organize ideas collaboratively in real time or asynchronously.
- Individual Work: Have students cluster their own ideas first before merging with others in small groups or as a class.
- Quick Version: For large classes, assign categories beforehand and have students place their sticky notes in pre-defined areas, speeding up the process.
This activity works across disciplines, from organizing literary themes in an English course to identifying scientific variables in a biology lab.
Sources and Attribution
Primary Sources
This section is informed by and adapted from the following sources:
- University of Waterloo, Centre for Teaching Excellence. Active Learning Activities.
- Available at: Waterloo CTE
Use of AI in Section Development
This section was developed using a combination of existing research, expert-informed insights, and AI-assisted drafting. ChatGPT (OpenAI) was used to:
- Synthesize best practices for active learning strategies into a cohesive and accessible guide for instructors.
- Clarify approaches that promote student engagement, participation, and deeper learning.
- Enhance readability and coherence, ensuring that active learning techniques are both research-based and practically applicable in face-to-face and online classrooms.
While AI-assisted drafting provided a structured foundation, all final content was reviewed, revised, and contextualized to ensure accuracy, alignment with research, and pedagogical effectiveness. This section remains grounded in institutional best practices and respects Creative Commons licensing where applicable.
