Title:The Development Games Manual and Kit
Author: Peter Gerrickens
Publisher: Gower
Year: 2000
Format: Looseleaf ringbinder manual and two packs of games cards
Price: Kit price £157.50 from the TrainingZONE Mall (normal price £175.50 + VAT) (also available manual only price £112.50 and cards only price £31.50)
ISBN: 0 566 08406 6
This translated resource, originally published earlier in 2000 in The Netherlands, consists of two sets of communication etc games cards with a supporting manual, the kit designed to help learners identify their own skills, those of others and become aware of how others see their skills.
The card packs contain 140 cards each, portraying social and communications skills. Enclose in each pack is a leaflet suggesting three basic activities – the meaning of skills (2–8 people); skills profile (2 people); and how others view your skills (2 – 8 people).
The manual extends the number of uses for the cards providing 30 different activities for self-awareness; feedback skills; team feedback; a team skills profile; icebreakers for introducing skills; and one-to-one performance reviews.
Following an introduction to competences and skills, and methods of applying and playing the games in work and private situations, the 30 activities are described in terms of their purpose; prior conditions; procedure; and some with explanatory notes; continuing exercises and alternative versions. The number of possible participants ranges from 1 through a variety of combinations to a maximum of 25, the time required ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
One appendix acts as a skills test of 140 skill statements with which participants can identify how well they control these skills; another presents an exercise concerned with the participants’ learning and application of the learning. A third appendix is designed to help the learners make plans of action to acquire the 140 specific skills listed in the first appendix, looking at their strengths and weaknesses.
This is a very imaginative and innovative method of providing activities for the purposes described above. The cards are made of a very durable material and so will be long-lasting (although additional or replacement cards cost only £31.50). The activities presented will be useful to any trainer in a wide range of training events involving people processes and skills. Well recommended.
The Development Games Manual and Kit was reviewed by Leslie Rae.
