PostIt is a useful tool for helping students to identify and then categorise key factors. Each "Note" can be dragged and dropped anywhere in the screen and colour coded if necessary. A background image can also be inserted for annotation purposes.

Stage 1: Brainstorming

Students are asked to identify as many factors as they can to help explain the key question under consideration. These are written into the "PostIts" and dragged around the screen filling the space.

Stage 2: Categorisation

Next, students work in pairs to come up with three to five headings under which the factors can be categorised. A key is then created so that each category is represented by a different colour.

The teacher then leads the class back through each factor in turn, asking the class to suggest which colour should be applied to each PostIt.

When the process is complete, the PostIts are organised on the screen so that all those of a similar colour are grouped together.

• Students could be asked to comment on which group of factors is the most relevant / important by demonstrating how they relate to each other.
• A background image could be loaded onto the screen, and the PostIts used as annotation tools (see the sample file above)