The Talking Football
I had a boss that would bring a football to meetings sometimes. Only the person holding the football could talk. We had an agressive know it all, arguer and for the first time I saw him calmed down (as much as possible) However, intead of focusing on the meeting, he just kept trying to get the football, haha.
This seemed like an effective way to control participation and break the monotony. Obviously, I would use it primarily for group discussions, but can anyone see any drawbacks or add anything to this idea?
Hi Jacci,
Great way to help keep control/structure and have fun at the same time.
Patricia Scales
The caveat of the instructor's right to speak is important and I've found that the students completely understand that.
Rather than a football, I've used a dry erase marker. This gives them a feeling of being the teacher or contributor and is small enough to be easily passed by hand and not thrown (which is what they want to do with a ball). Keeps classroom from getting out of hand.
I have tried this before in both the middle school and college setting. It really can work very well (although it can besomewhat time consuming as students drop the ball, etc.) I have always used a very soft (Nerf-type) ball, especially in the middle school setting! As the teacher or professor, I have always recerved the right to speak even if I am not literally "holding the ball" because that caveat is obviously necessary.
Hi John,
I can't see any draw backs to that idea at all. It allows the leader conducting the meeting to take control back, and in addition it will cause the aggressor to back down and sit quietly. Also it will help everyone else at the meeting to soak up the information.
Hi Mary,
I like the idea of the talking football. The talking football really controls the dynamic of the class.
Patricia Scales
I had an instructor who had a small rubber ball. Only the student holding the ball could talk. If a student had a comment or question, he would raise his hand, but couldn't speak until the instructor tossed him the ball. In class discussions, the student could then toss the ball to someone else.
Hi John,
Neat idea! I simply talk to the know-it-all to maintain control. However, this will work too!
Patricia Scales
