Ice breakers
Its easy to get to know your students by simply asking questions. some will be happy to share while others may prefer to talk more privately. Finding which your student would prefer is the trick.
I also believe it comes in many forms. It depends on the folks in the class. Sometimes they are perseptive, sometimes they are not. you feel each one out.
My clinical classes range from 8 to 16 students, so it's a small 'intimate' size. When I have a new group of students I do my "acorn icebreaker". I once read a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that said, in effect, that 'inside every acorn is the potential for a thousand forests'. So during the first five minutes of class, I hand out an acorn and have each student look it over and pass it around the room. I then ask if they know what it is and what type of tree it comes from (that question sometimes results in some very 'unique' answers and some laughter too). After we've shared that information, I grab a marker and head for the whiteboard. I ask the students to guess how many trees they think 'come out of' an acorn and I write those numbers on the board. Their answers can range anywhere from "1" to "500" trees. I then write the number "1000" on the board and then next to it, in capital letters, I write the word FORESTS. The students get a kick out of this activity and it stimulates some interesting conversation among the class too!
un Ice breaker is Two Truths and a Lie...this icebreaker you will pass out 3×5 cards to everyone and ask them to write down 2 true statements about themselves and 1 lie. Then each person reads their own card aloud and the class guesses which statement is the lie. It is best if the teacher goes first to illustrate how it should be done before participants write down their statements.
I have a few assignments during the first few days of class that give my students the oppertunity to open up to me and the others in class. I have them introduce themselves on day one, then later have them send me an email answering other questions.
Ice breakers can come any form. This is the best way to set the tone for the class. Also, a great way to make a connection with students.
In my school, we usually conduct an icebreaker session for new students during orientation held on a Saturday morning before the start of the new term. We as instructors can pick out the shy students immediately and when the term starts, we can begin the process of encouraging them to participate in class more openly. In addition, by conducting our icebreaker during orientation, our students have already had the opportunity to get to know each other even before their formal classes begin.
I like to make it a fun meet another student activity. That way it helps to create a warm and inviting learning environment. For example I give them 10 min and they interview each other. I give them a few things I want to know that would help me in class, then a few things that is fun to know about them like favorite movie, color, and music.
good point! I like to draw in the students that would prefer talking "privately" and help them openly participate......especially in healthcare related careers, teamwork and group effort are very important. The healthcare "team" has to function as a team......and rely on each other. Not much individual attention.
