Warm Up

Icebreakers, Warm-up, Review, and Motivator Activities






For the following activities, it often helps to break the group into
dyads (pairs) or triads (trios). The smaller group allows for more discussion,
keeps participants from mentally wondering off, builds rapport,
and allows for one-on-one relationships.
Dyads place two persons in a no-threat, eyeball-to-eyeball relationshipwhere rapport is easy to build. Triads still mange to keep a lot of the intimacy of dyads, while providing more viewpoints.
You can break a large group into small groups by having them discuss the activity with the person behind them or beside of them, or having people take a different seat when they return from breaks or activities. The idea is to get them to meet and learn about other peopleideas besides their friends or favorite partner.
Icebreakers
Icebreakers are structured activities that are designed to relax learners, introduce them to each other, and energize them in what is normally an unduly formal atmosphere or situation. Icebreakers are not normally related to the subject matter, where as “openers” are related to the subject matter that is to be discussed. In addition,they often help to break up the cliques and invite people to form random groupings in a non-threatening and fun way.
The term “icebreaker” comes from “break the ice,” which in turn comes from special ships called “icebreakers” that are designed to break up ice in the arctic regions. And just as these ships make it easier for other ships to travel, an icebreaker helps to clear the way for learningto occur by making the learners more comfortable by helping to bring about conversation.
Listed below are a few icebreakers to help get you started:
• The Magic Wand
You have just found a magic wand that allows you to change three work related activities. You can change anything you want. How would you change yourself, your job, your boss, coworkers, an important project, etc.? Have them discusswhy it is important to make the change. Another variation is to have them discuss what they would change if they become the boss for a month. This activity helps them to learn about others' desires and frustrations.
• Marooned
You are marooned on a island. What five (you can use a different number, such as seven, depending upon the size of each team) items would you have brought with you if youknew there was a chance that you might be stranded.
• The Interview
Break the group into two-person teams (have them pick a partner that they know the least about). Have them interview each other for about twenty minutes (You can also prepare questions ahead of time or provide general guidelines for the interview). They need to learn about what each other likes about their job, past jobs,family life, hobbies, favorite sport, etc. After the interviews, reassemble the group and have each team introduce their team member to the group. This exercise helps them to learn about each other.
• Who Done That?
Prior to the meeting, make a list of about 25 items relating to work and home life. For example, a list for a group of trainers might have some of the following:
o Developed a computertraining course
o Has delivered coaching classes
o Is a mother
o Knows what ADDIE means and can readily discuss it
o Enjoys hiking
o Has performed process improvement
o Served in the Armed Forces
o Is a task analysis expert
Ensure there is plenty of space below each item (3 or 4 lines) and then make enough copies for each person.
Give each person a copy of the list and have them findsomeone who can sign one of the lines. Also, have them put their job title and phone number next to their names. Allow about 30 minutes for the activity. Give prizes for the first one completed, most names (you can have more that one name next to an item), last one completed, etc. This activity provides participants with a list of special project coaches and helps them to learn about each other....