Affinity Mapping is a collaborative brainstorming and sorting activity that helps you make sense of a large amount of information. Imagine it as a spider web of ideas where connections naturally form between similar thoughts. It’s perfect for organizing data, generating new ideas, and uncovering hidden patterns.

Materials:

• Large surface area: Whiteboard, butcher paper, or chart paper.
• Sticky notes: Different colors are helpful for differentiation.
• Markers: Various colors for highlighting and grouping.
• Timer (optional): Useful for managing time within each step.

Procedure:

1. Brainstorming (5-10 minutes):
   • Individually, write down your ideas, questions, or data points on sticky notes. One idea per note!
   • Encourage diverse perspectives and consider the topic from different angles.
2. Sharing & Posting (5 minutes):
   • Take turns silently posting your sticky notes on the surface area. No explanation is required.
3. Clustering & Grouping (15-20 minutes):
   • Work in groups to move, group, and arrange the sticky notes based on similarities. Look for patterns, themes, and connections.
   • Discuss why you grouped certain notes together and give each group a clear, descriptive label.
4. Naming & Refining (10-15 minutes):
   • Choose titles for each group that capture their essence. Refine the groupings and make adjustments as needed.
5. Analysis & Discussion (15-20 minutes):
   • Analyze the relationships between the groups. Look for overarching themes, trends, and gaps in your information.
   • Discuss the implications of your findings and brainstorm what they mean for your learning or project.

Differentiation:

• Group Size: Vary group sizes based on student needs and activity complexity. Large groups encourage collaboration, while smaller groups provide individual attention.
• Question Variety: Offer choices in how students respond to prompts. Allow for written, oral, or visual representations of ideas.
• Prior Knowledge: Scaffold the activity based on students’ existing knowledge or understanding. Provide additional resources or prompts for learners who need more support.
• Multiple Entry Points: Offer different starting points for the brainstorm. This could be based on personal experience, prior learning, or different sources of information.

Technology Integration:

• Collaborative Online Platforms: Use online platforms like Miro, Mural, or Klaxoon to create virtual Affinity Maps. These platforms allow real-time collaboration, brainstorming, and voting, even for geographically dispersed teams. 
• Digital Card Sorting Tools: Leverage tools like OptimalSort or Sortly to conduct digital card sorting activities. Participants can categorize digital cards with keywords or concepts online, providing valuable insights into how they perceive and group information. 
• Mind Mapping Software: Utilize Mind Mapping tools like XMind or FreeMind to generate visual representations of ideas and relationships during Affinity Mapping sessions.