Individuals are invited to think about and respond to a question with multiple ideas, each of which they record on a separate card. Small groups collaboratively problem-solve to sort, match, or sequence the cards while respectfully discussing their content and possible ways to organize them. Card sorts help keep groups focused as they narrow large brainstorms down to key concept categories. The process requires participants to be socially aware as they gradually become a more cohesive group with an emerging sense of belonging.
When and Why
Back to topIt is often difficult for a group to come to an initial set of agreements about pervasive or systemic challenges. The Card Sort is a structured process to elicit a large number of diverse and creative ideas for solutions to a problem in a short amount of time, while building a sense of community and belonging. It encourages individual agency and group collaboration to generate potential answers to a common dilemma or opportunity. The activity is designed to surface diverse thinking and not closure to a question.
How to Facilitate
Back to top- Reflect on the current contexts, demographics of participants, and the purpose of this engagement and provide the topic or question for participants to respond to (e.g., “What are ways adults/student’s can support each other’s learning?”, “How can we develop trust between caregivers and school personnel?”).
- Each person legibly writes one idea per index card or sticky note. Provide enough time for everyone to write three to seven cards.
- Participants form small groups and lay their cards out together on a table so that all group members can see them. Explain that they’ll be working as a team to group the ideas by listening respectfully to each person’s contributions.
- Groups read all the cards and then decide together how they want to start sorting them into categories that emerge from their conversation.
- Remind the groups to work together for equity of voice and take turns moving the cards into a variety of categories. The goal is to hear and understand a variety of ideas. There are no definitive right or wrong answers.
- Bring the whole group back to debrief, calling on a representative from each small group or individual volunteers to answer one or two of these questions:
- “What patterns and meaningful categories did you find?”
- “What was challenging about the process and what strategies did you use to accomplish the task anyway?”
- “What was beneficial to your learning or enjoyable about working with your small group and why?”
Modification
Back to top- Vary the group size and/or the number of cards each individual may contribute. If the groups are struggling to determine categories, the facilitator can join the group for a short time and contribute ideas for some categories they may want to consider.
- In a virtual environment, breakout rooms for small groups can be created randomly or by intentionally grouping participants.