IceBreakers
As a way to ease the tension on the first day of class, I always have the students do icebreaker activities.
Carolyn,
Cohort groups can be a challenge for instructors because they have history with each other from previous courses. I like you use ice breakers to get them talking, laughing and sharing with each other when starting my course. I gain a lot of insight from these exchanges, just as you mention you do. These are valuable activities to set the class up for the coming sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I do also. My students stay together as a group. So by the time I get them, they are already comfortable with each other. The ice breaker is more for my benefit in order to get to know them better, then for their benefit.
Dustin,
I do to because they help students get settled into the class and get comfortable with each other. Fun way to do introductions and class introductions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
