Brainstorming is a group technique to generate ideas for solving problems. It involves spontaneously contributing ideas without criticism. Alex Osborn popularized brainstorming in 1953 as being most effective in groups compared to individuals. The steps of brainstorming are to state the problem, generate ideas, select a solution, build the item, evaluate, and present results. There are individual and group types, with groups developing ideas more in-depth. The teacher acts as a facilitator by promoting, probing with questions, recording ideas, and encouraging critical thinking. Brainstorming encourages creative thinking, accepts all ideas, includes everyone as a team, and is exciting and easy.