Ice Breaker Idea
I do an ice breaker card on the first day of class where my students fill in their home-town, favorite hobbie, etc. This helps me get to know them and recall their names. What also might be helpful is to have them include (voluntarily) a concern/fear they may have as they enter the program. This will help me to proactively address common anxieties that create road blocks to student success and establish a supportive atmosphere in my classroom.
I love this idea! I was at a disadvantage with my first term because I entered the class mid-way through. I had to spend extra time getting to know students and asking other instructors information about my new students.
Hi Miguel:
For me , getting students comfortable taliking with other is the goal. Really, many ways to go about it. If we can add a bit of harmless fun or genuine laughter, that helps.
Regards, Barry
I make sure never to ask for information that I myself would not share with the class. In fact, I usually volunteer myself to go first when it comes to sharing. I like to lead by example.
Hi John:
Once students have to speak up in class, even as an ice breaker, there's a barrier that's been diminished and will help even shy students be even more vocal in class and discussion.
Regards, Barry
I really enjoy doing this with my classes as well.
In addition to the information card, I also have the students introduce themselves by first name and discuuss why they have chosen this field of study. This really helps to break down walls and barriers.
I really enjoy doing this with my classes as well.
In addition to the information card, I also have the students introduce themselves by first name and discuuss why they have chosen this field of study. This really helps to break down walls and barriers.
Hi Mark:
Whenever we can personalize instruction, students will be more apt to retain and rembember. Your activity seems like it would strengthen the student-teacher relationship as well.
Regards, Barry
I agree - I do a short "quiz" on the first night of class to find out my student's background, likes and dislikes. It's not graded. I then tailor my classes to the information from the quiz. It seems to work and the students tend to learn. It also helps me speak to them on a more personal basis.
Hi Frances:
Yes, this works well. I've had 30 new students at a new student orientation and amazed the class by remembering each's name and city of residence. I then share the secret: repetition. I then use that as an example how they can use the same technique for recalling lists, facts, and notes to improve their study. It definitely motivates most students!
Regards, Barry
Ice Breakers are an excellent way to remember names, some of my classes are composed of 16 students. Boy this sure comes in handy to start learning names. I like the students to pair up and exchange information then introduce each other.
Hi David:
I think you have a good activity there as an ice breaker. The purpose of these is to get students comfortable with each other and the teacher, accustomed to speaking aloud among their peers, and participating in an assignment that really helps them understand their classmates a little better, jus as it does for the teacher. As the comfort level increases, there is less stress, and therefore an improved learning environment more conducive to learning.
Regards, Barry
I do an ice breaker at the beginning of each new phase; at this time the students have been together for about three months. I have them take 90 seconds to write down what their expectation for the class, and what do they want to do upon graduation. When complete, they stand and introduce themselves, and read their what they have written down. Most of the time, the students have learned something new about each other, and at the same time, I have learned what their expectations are. I think its a great way to understand each other as a group, and also relaxes them, for it is a new class.
Hi Christine:
Great idea! Ice breakers are intended to get students to begin to open to new classmates or new classes and when done well, are very fun in the process of bringing down the natural "walls" strangers have for one another. A good exercise should make evryone feel at least like the know each other better, and at best make them comfortable to strike up a conversation with someone they just met because now they have something to begin the conversation with.
Regards, Barry
Cards are a good tool. Part of our class is spent on advanced coffee service. So as an ice breaker I have each sutdent select no less than three but not more that five coffee beans. For each bean they tell me someting I should know about themselves. I also match their beans with beans about me.
Hi Linda:
Good ice breaker idea. I think many teachers probably have used this or something similar. Getting students to open up a little bit should make them a little less timid about speaking up in the future.
Regards, Barry
As an instructor at a career college I have each and every student stand in class and tell everyone there name where they are from what prompted them to enter the program and where they see themselves in 5 years. It actually shows that they have mutual goals and makes it easier for them to communicate with each other.
Hi Michelle:
I think whenever students share personal information, it reinforces the relationship, and perhaqps makes for a better classmates. Your idea sounds like fun.
Regards, Barry
Im currently taking a EMT class and the instructor made us interview each other and we have became a close family and have alot of fun together.
Hi Sue:
Great idea! I would use this and think it would be especially useful if there was time for identified student to elaborate some on the activity, or share more about themselves. There will some that are shy, but most will say at least a little bit, which of course is the point of the whole exercise.
Regards, Barry
