Dr. Jim DiSanza

Leading Creative Teams

Are teams more creative than individuals? This learning module debunks the myths of creativity and reviews a variety of brainstorming­type techniques for small groups. The class is then divided into groups and each performs an idea generation exercise using a different brainstorming technique. The results of each group’s exercise are compared and contrasted. The session closes by explaining that any group can improve its creativity by using brainstorming techniques.

Risk Communication

Risk communication is any communication about uncertain physical and environmental hazards. Students begin this learning module by working in groups to rank order the causes of preventable death in the United States. Generally, students have a pretty good, intuitive understanding of the things that are most likely, and least likely, to cause preventable death. We then discuss psychological factors that tend to increase or decrease people's perceptions of risk. Finally, we examine communication techniques that work to increase or decrease people's concerns about various hazards.