8 Responses

1. Ice Breakers
   Many ice breaker techniques are recyceld time and time again – it’s great to find something new, well borrowed, that can be introduced.

   I’m always on the look out for new ideas, so I was interested when my 17yr old duaghter was searching for ideas for a 6th year conference at her school.

   We devised an ice breaker from a current TV advert – the one about the street name and the pet name – can’t quite rememebr the product just now..

   Have a laugh by getting everyone to rename themselves –
   first name – the name of their pet or family pet if they don’t have one or have never had one,(most families have had a pet at sometime), and second name from the name of their house or street. I’d be Hanky Lothian – well it’s a bit different.

   This was piloted at the 6th year conference and it really help the students to get to know where eveyone came from.

   Adding this to already having knowledge of the names from other introductions built on the getting to know you theme.

   Give it a try.

   Elizabeth

2. ice-break
   I think it is an usefull think for a lot of trainers – experienced or not. Aura Dobrescu

3. Fantastic!
   I think that this is a fantastic idea. It always takes time to research a new activity and in my eyes any time that can be saved is a bonus!!!

4. What a bril idea
   I think this is a great idea. How about sorting the icebreakers into themes according to what you want them to achieve – such as:

   >Getting to know each other

   >Introducing the topic of the course and getting them thinking about it

   >Energising
   etc

5. Great idea!
   Paul and others

   Many thanks for this suggestion and for your offers of contributions. Any Answers already contains lots of postings on this subject, so we’ll look at getting them – and any new suggestions – into one place on the site.

   Stephanie Phillips
   Editor, TrainingZONE

6. Great Idea
   I agree it’s a good idea and I would be willing to contribute.

7. Learning aims
   A start of a session – ask participants to write a post it note, maximum ten words — In relation to days training session – What I hope to achieve from today.

   Place the notes from all particpants on a flip chart and display where all can see. Revisit the comments after lunch time or at another appropriate time to remind particpants what they hoped to achieve. At the end of the day ask particpants to consider their comments in relation to the course/ session evaluation.

   Using post it notes is not very economically friendly – however it lets people make short notes that can be moved around or passed on to others.

   Elizabeth

8. Web sites for exercises
   Here are some online sources of free icebreakers and training games/exercises:

   http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/icebreak.html Big Dog’s leadership exercises

   http://www.topten.org/content/tt.AU20.htm starters for meetings and seminars

   http://fcis.oise.utoronto.ca/~smceachren/games/ trainer name games

   http://www.promptbox.co.uk/ register for hundreds of games and exercises

   https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/toolkit/ a library of resources at UK’s biggest site for trainers

   http://www.gamesfortrainers.co.uk a few free icebreakers and more games to buy

   http://www.swcollege.com/management/management_exercises/management_toc.html management exercises

   http://www.mindtools.com/ lots of tools ranging from SWOT analysis to learning styles

   http://www.thetrainingshop.co.uk/ games, exercises and toys to buy

   http://www.accel-team.com/ teambuilding exercises to buy

   http://www.thiagi.com/ superb mix of items from Thiagi include plenty of short exercises

   http://www.jvdcreativity.com/free.htm liven up your workshops with free icebreakers and games to buy

   http://www.communicator.com/hard2say.html voice exercises

   http://www.nonviolentcommunication.com/BookPages/nvcexercises.html non-violent communication and assertiveness

   http://www.puzzlemaker.com make your own puzzle or word game

   http://www.RTTWorks.com useful list of free icebreakers

   http://www.mlruk.com professional, well produced activities and tools to buy with guide books

   http://www3.baylor.edu/~Charles_Kemp/ice_breakers.htm Just a few ideas, but clearly explained.

   http://www.flora.org/mike/poped/icebreakers.html
   http://www.flora.org/mike/poped/icebreakers2.html#top Both sites are related, well laid out and explain clearly some icebreakers and how to run them.

   http://www.scn.org/ip/cds/cmp/modules/tm-ice.htm Not really a description of icebreakers, but rather an explanation in the form of a series of bullet points.

   http://www.johnsleigh.com.au/IB_check.htm A broad collection of issues relating to ice breaker exercise, including an explanation and checklist for what makes a good icebreaker, eve carries some energisers.

   http://www.susan-boyd.com/tenways.htm 10 or 11 novel icebreaker exercises, very good.

   http://www.csi.cc.id.us/support/hr/Teaching/breakers.htm A brief resume of a range of introduction exercises and icebreakers

   http://www.susqu.edu/campus_center/book2.htm Ideas and explanations of icebreakers and group development activities

   http://lonestar.texas.net/%7Etsberry/swepage/ice.htm One line descriptions of ice breakers, together with some other links.

   http://adulted.about.com/library/blicebreakers.htm?once=true& The first page of three pages explaining and introducing how icebreakers should be employed and also some providing some examples for teachers

   http://www.thefacilitator.com/ activities, articles and guidance for facilitators

   Comments and additions welcome!
   Graham