Amanda--
I understand completely. The type of activity is very important. We definitely don't want to talk down to the students or make it feel like 3rd grade when we had to tell 'what I did on summer vacation' :) Done well, it can really help them and the instructor.
One of the most interesting ones for me was in a graduate class when we had to introduce another student. It requires that you actually listen and also reveal the things about ourself that you want others to know.
Susan
