11 Responses

1. Be dynamic…
   Try bringing in dynamic, energetic activities and exercises that help and challenge people to feel and think differently – eg get people drumming – can split them into different groups learning different sections of a rythmn and then come together to perform. Send them on a treasure hunt, get them juggling, acting, climbing or you could choose the activity based on the skills/attitudes of the participants – eg if they’re finance orientated get them involved in a trading game. As you’ve probably guessed this is what my company (JollySerious Events) does – you are welcome to contact me if you’d like more ideas – we always have lots! – or call to talk further – 0117 944 5361

2. A few references to check
   Hi Eileen,

   I had the same problem not so long ago and Amazon has quite a few cheap books which are packed with good ideas. A lot of the “games” are entertaining and provide food for thought.
   Fenman.co.uk has got a few things as well but are much more expensive…

3. Ice-breakers and energisers
   WHAT DO YOU KNOW/WANT TO KNOW?

   After the usual round of introductions ask the participants to each think of one thing they know about the topic, and one thing they would like to know. After 2 minutes go round and get feedback, writing all the reponses on a flipchart under the two headings. Indicate how their responses relate to the training process. Refer back to their responses during the training, and check at the end that everything has been covered. Apart from being a useful ice-breaker it also gives you some indication of their existing knowledge, an aspect which is frequently not considered in many training sessions. It also helps you to ensure that you cover what they see as important and so meet their learning needs.

4. Ice-breakers and energisers
   Then there’s:

   INTRODUCE MYSELF
   Participants introduce themselves and tell why they are there. Variations: participants tell where they first heard about the course/training event, how they became interested in the subject, their occupations, home towns, favourite television programmes, or the best books they have read in the last year.

   INTRODUCE ANOTHER
   Divide the class into pairs. Each person talks about him/herself to the other, sometimes with specific instructions to share a certain piece of information. For example, “The one thing I am particularly proud of is…” After five minutes, the participants introduce the other person to the rest of the class.

   CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
   Have students write down one or two adjectives describing themselves. Put these on a stick-on badge. Have class members find someone with similar or opposite adjectives and talk for five minutes with the other person.

   I’VE DONE SOMETHING YOU HAVEN’T DONE
   Have each person introduce themselves and then state something they have done that they think no one else in the class has done. If someone else has also done it, the student must state something else until he/she finds something that no one else has done.

5. More ice-breakers and energisers
   FIND SOMEONE
   Each person writes on a blank index card one to three statements, such as favourite colour, interest, hobby, or holiday. Pass out cards so everyone gets someone else’s card. Have that person find the person with their card and introduce themselves.

   FAMOUS PERSON
   People write a famous name on a piece of paper and pin it on someone else’s back. Person tries to guess what name is pinned on his/her by asking others around the room yes or no questions. Variation: Use famous place instead of famous person.

   MY NAME
   People introduce themselves and tell what they know about why they have their name. It could be the first, middle or nick name.

   HOW DO YOU FEEL?
   Ask the students to write down words or phrases that describe their feelings on the first day of the course. List the responses on the board/flip chart. Then ask them to write down what they think you as the teacher are feeling this first day of the course. List them on the board/flip chart in a second column and note the parallels. Briefly comment on your feelings and then discuss the joint student/teacher responsibilities for learning in the course.

6. A nice ice-breaker or energiser
   Here is another useful activity to get everyone up, active and communicating:

   Find someone who ….

   lives near you
   has an interesting hobby
   has relatives in other countries
   works part time
   is new to the company/job
   is a vegetarian
   loves cooking
   can’t cook/hates cooking
   has given up smoking
   would love to give up smoking
   has a dog
   feels nervous
   feels excited about today
   didn’t sleep very well last night
   rides a bicycle
   got up late this morning
   likes romantic novels/films
   enjoys playing sport
   didn’t like school
   loved school
   has recently moved to this area
   supports a football team
   belongs to a religious group
   has achieved a personal triumph
   has children
   plays a musical instrument
   has the same shoe size as you
   is a voluntary helper
   is learning to drive

   … and so on!

7. A useful icebreaker and energiser
   Eileen, I have found the Pig Personality Profile useful as an icebreaker and energiser.

   If you would like a copy please email me and I will attach the file in MS Word format.

   ewn1@cant.ac.uk

8. Sign in like they used to do in ‘What’s My Line’
   Ask each participant to sign their signature on a flip chart and then tell the group something about their name. Where it comes from, what it means, wht was it chosen , does it ay anything abiout them etc.

   I’m always surprised how much people know about their names!!

9. Who would you most like to meet?
   Ask each participant to choose a person, living or dead, famous or not and then ask them to compile three questions they would like to ask this individual.

   In turn each participant shares the name, the reason for choosing this person and their 3 questions with the group.

   If you want more please contact me

10. very good stuff for icebreaking
    check Martin Thompson’s equipment at mta-international.com very powerful and can be used to lead into rest of sessions if you select carefully.

11. Resource
    The very best resources related to icebreakers and energizers can be found at thiagi.com. Also try posting a questions at the NASAGA (north american simulation and gaming association) — they are a very friendly and helpful group.