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Determining the Pros and Cons
PMI (plus, minus, interesting) is a brainstorming, decision making and critical thinking tool. It is used to encourage the examination of ideas, concepts and experiences from more than one perspective. PMI was developed by Dr. Edward de Bono, a proponent of lateral and critical thinking.
A PMI strategy can help you to:
* to brainstorm ideas
* make decisions quickly by analysing and weighing the pros and cons
* reflect upon or evaluate a product or processs after the fact
* identify strengths and weaknesses for future improvement
PMI (plus, minus, interesting) is a brainstorming, decision making and critical thinking tool. It is used to encourage the examination of ideas, concepts and experiences from more than one perspective. PMI was developed by Dr. Edward de Bono, a proponent of lateral and critical thinking.
A PMI strategy can help you to:
* to brainstorm ideas
* make decisions quickly by analysing and weighing the pros and cons
* reflect upon or evaluate a product or processs after the fact
* identify strengths and weaknesses for future improvement
To complete you make a chart of three columns - “Plus”, “Minus” and “Interesting.”
Step 1. Consider the Plus Points
In this step, simply enumerate all of the positive things you can think of. Don’t critique yourself along the way, simply spill out all the positive points that you can think of.
Step 2. Consider the Minus Points
In this step, enumerate all of the negative things you can think of. Again, don’t critique yourself. Simply spill out all the negative points you can think of.
Step 3. Consider the Interesting Points of the Situation.
In this step, enumerate all the interesting points that you can think of. Rather than positive or negative, they are simply points of interest that you should direct your attention to.
Step 4. Make Your conclusion
In this step, you make your judgement because you’ve scanned and organised three important aspects: the positives, the negatives, and the interesting.
It is a great tool for critical thinking, focussing your attention, evaluating and analysing.
After you have used this technique you should be in a better position to make a your appraisal.
Step 1. Consider the Plus Points
In this step, simply enumerate all of the positive things you can think of. Don’t critique yourself along the way, simply spill out all the positive points that you can think of.
Step 2. Consider the Minus Points
In this step, enumerate all of the negative things you can think of. Again, don’t critique yourself. Simply spill out all the negative points you can think of.
Step 3. Consider the Interesting Points of the Situation.
In this step, enumerate all the interesting points that you can think of. Rather than positive or negative, they are simply points of interest that you should direct your attention to.
Step 4. Make Your conclusion
In this step, you make your judgement because you’ve scanned and organised three important aspects: the positives, the negatives, and the interesting.
It is a great tool for critical thinking, focussing your attention, evaluating and analysing.
After you have used this technique you should be in a better position to make a your appraisal.
Examples of alternative PMI structures
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References and further reading
Bonka, C.J. & G. Stevenson Smith. (1998) Alternative instructional strategies for creative and critical thinking in the curriculum. Journal of Education, 16(2), 261-293
Finley, T. (2012). Three Steps to Critical Thinking. Edutopia. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/three-steps-to-critical-thinking-todd-finley
Fisher, R. (2005). Teaching children to think. Nelson Thornes.
Gillard, M. (2012). PMI - Plus Minus Interesting. Innovation-creativity.com. Retrieved from:
http://www.innovation-creativity.com/pmi.html
Ritchhart, R., & Perkins, D. N. (2005). Learning to think: The challenges of teaching thinking
Sources of Insight. (2010). How To Use the PMI Technique to Improve Your Thinking. Sourcesofinsight.com. Retrieved from: http://sourcesofinsight.com/avoid-the-intelligence-trap/
Bonka, C.J. & G. Stevenson Smith. (1998) Alternative instructional strategies for creative and critical thinking in the curriculum. Journal of Education, 16(2), 261-293
Finley, T. (2012). Three Steps to Critical Thinking. Edutopia. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/three-steps-to-critical-thinking-todd-finley
Fisher, R. (2005). Teaching children to think. Nelson Thornes.
Gillard, M. (2012). PMI - Plus Minus Interesting. Innovation-creativity.com. Retrieved from:
http://www.innovation-creativity.com/pmi.html
Ritchhart, R., & Perkins, D. N. (2005). Learning to think: The challenges of teaching thinking
Sources of Insight. (2010). How To Use the PMI Technique to Improve Your Thinking. Sourcesofinsight.com. Retrieved from: http://sourcesofinsight.com/avoid-the-intelligence-trap/
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