Getting to know each other stage.
I wanted to add to the process of helping students get to know each other. During introducing ourselves as instructors I know we have to take the lead and set the pase for how students will react to each other as well as to us as the instructor all the while keeping mind that these are adults like ourselves so we can't push and seek too much personal information.
Good Evening Isiah,
I always look forward to the introduction phase on the first day. After I tell them a little about myself, I go around the room and ask each of them to state their name, where they are from, if they enjoy the traditional skills, technique skills or both.
The majority of our students are from out-of-state, and I'm always amazed at how far many of them have travel to come to our school to pursue their education. You really realize how much they have invested in their education. The students are thrilled when they discover that other students are from their state or home town. After we make the rounds, the students seem much more relaxed and all smiles!
Hi Eric,
Thanks for sharing this ice breaker with the participants. This will give them additional tools to use as they start their classes. Good job.
Gary
I have used an ice breaker similar to one that was discussed previously in this topic in a class that is required in order for our students to graduate. I ask them to partner up with someone they don't know and find out the following information about that partner:
-Name
-Higher educational background
-Family or background information they like to share
-The program they are studying
-What they hope to get out of this class
-Plans for after graduation
-Something unique or interesting about them
Then, each pair comes to the front of the class and introduces each other. It has worked great for me in the past and the students have seemed to enjoy learning that information about their classmates. I do get a few grumbles about the "something unique or interesting about them", but after some thinking, they all seem to come up with something great!
Hi Karen,
Thanks for sharing this game with the participants. I am a big game fan myself. I find games are very effective learning tools for retention plus the competition gets the students all excited about doing their best.
Gary
hi Karen
Sounds like fun. Another way I'm going to try is a student and teacher roast with some learning built in. We are going to discover funny mnemonic aids to remember facts and talk about our idiosyncracies
At the end of each module I allow time for students to play a game I purchased called Loaded Questions. I have used this in the field and it has worked very well with staff and their inter-personnel/personal skills.
The game asks questions about peoples favorite things or ideas about basic topics which they write down. Each player takes a turn at guessing who wrote what answer. Its a lot of fun and students really get to know their classmates. Its a favorite with every class I have taught!
I personally believe if we all practice the approach it make the new students more comfortable and close with each other and their instructors.
Hi Duane,
Great ice breaker and introduction strategy. Thanks for sharing it. I'm sure this will be of help to others going through this course.
Gary
I have each student pick a number between one and ten. Then have them times this by three.
Then each student has to meet another student in the class that they do not know. The number they just got say 15, they have to find out that number of things about them. It may seem like a lot but it isn't. Then I have them introduce that person. Remember, first name is one and last name is two.
Then the student that They introduce must introduce them.
Then I have them pick another number from 1-10 and reverse the numbers on the board. In other words, 1 is now ten, and ten is one. This is the number of things that they must say about themselves that the other person didn't say.
Just a good way to break the ice, and get to know them. It also have them speak in front of each other.
I usually start the same way, but I go around my room and shake everyones hand and introduce myself and asked them one at a time what brings them to my program and how they think it will help them in there future when they graduate.
Isiah,
I like to ask the class to go around and introduce themselves, telling what they do for a living. Incredibly, the students learn that someone in their class is in a profession, position to help them later on. I have never had a student be upset at giving such information and it allows each of them to get to know eachother.
Prof Ferber
