Icebreakers and Active Learning Strategies

Originally published in the Learning and Teaching Newsletter (internal publication) at Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Winter semester seems far away, especially since we haven't seen much of winter weather yet. But perhaps you are starting to plan. And you are thinking about adopting some new techniques. Well, here is a list of icebreakers and active learning strategies that you may wish to add to your repertoire. I recently attended a workshop and I thought I would share some of the suggested activities that we learned about. Recommended reading: Nimble: A Coaching Guide for Responsive Facilitation by Rebecca Sutherns.

Idea #1: Icebreaker
Instructions: Ask a prompting questions, such as: what do you wish you could do more of? Everyone answers in the chat. Then you ask for one participant to ask a question (something that they are curious about) to another participant. 
Example: Reading. Participant #1 asks participant #2 “what is the best book that you read this year?”

Tip: For introductions ask yourself, how much do they need to know each other. If they already know each other, is there an opportunity to dig deeper. If they don’t but also don’t need to, a brief introduction will suffice.

Idea #2: Icebreaker or active learning strategy for Zoom
Instructions: Turn cameras on/off based on a response to a question.
Example: Everyone leave their cameras on if you have a dog.
Benefit: You may find that all participants leave their cameras on following the activity. Be sure to create a safe space online where kids, pets, and mess are all welcomed. 

Idea #3: Active learning strategy
Instructions: Go into the video settings in Zoom and have participants "hide non-video participants:. This is a great way to highlight specific speakers who have been assigned a task, such as a presentation, debate, or are representing their group in a debrief following a breakout room. 

Idea #4: Active learning strategy
Instructions: Go around the room creating a story or narrative. The catch - each participant contributes a sentence but the next participant must use the last word of the previous sentence or the last letter in their contribution. 
Example: Participant #1 states “Ask prompting questions”, and participant #2 follows up with “questions are a good way to brainstorm ideas”. Participant #3 starts off with “ideas….”.
Benefit: This is a great listening exercise. Also, an excellent way to break up content, review key concepts, or energize the group. 

Idea #5: Wellness
Instructions: Run a timer on the screen for breaks. Play music. Build in self care for breaks – make time for fresh air, snacks, and hydration. Encourage participants to not go straight from one device to another.

Idea #6: Icebreaker or active learning strategy
Instructions: Zoom, ask participants to find an item in their space. This activity could be used for a scavenger hunt, sharing circle, or to incorporate a sensory experience.

Idea #7: Incorporate UDL
Instructions: In Zoom – switch it up. Allow for times of audio only. Switch from content delivery to tasks (personal or group). Turn off self view if it is too distracting. Give options – you can work in a breakout room, or you can work alone. Label breakout rooms with topics, so that participants can choose what they are interested in. Create safe spaces by allowing for the cameras to be on/off.