Difference between revisions of "Icebreaker"

Difference between revisions of "Icebreaker"

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|A guidebook outlining games and exercises for groups, UNICEF
 
|A guidebook outlining games and exercises for groups, UNICEF
 
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|[[Image:pdf.png]][[Media:100_ways_to_energize.pdf| 100 ways to energize]]
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|[[Image:pdf.png]][[Media:100_ways_to_energize.pdf| 100 ways to energize groups]]
 
|A guide summarizing games designed for group situations, The International HIV/AIDS Alliance
 
|A guide summarizing games designed for group situations, The International HIV/AIDS Alliance
 
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Revision as of 12:47, 16 October 2011

Term2.png ICEBREAKER
Also referred to as opener, icebreaker is a short activity or game designed to help participants, particularly strangers, of a learning or training event to overcome initial anxiety. It is a facilitation exercise intended to help participants to know one another and to begin the process of forming themselves into a team. It can be either a fun activity or one tied to specific topics or training goals. [1]

Functions of Icebreakers

Openers/Icebreakers contribute four basic functions to a group:

  • Individual development - by encouraging alternatives, coping mechanisms and thinking.
  • Team building - bonding through the completion of a task.
  • Networking while becoming acquainted.
  • Icebreaking - reducing tension and breaking the link with the workplace by focusing the learners'attention in the classroom.

Basic Types of Icebreakers

  • Openers/Icebreakers that get people talking to each other, better communicate.
  • Openers/Icebreakers that generate familiarity and cooperation through problem solving and successful task completion.
  • Openers/Icebreakers that introduce concepts upon which the course will dwell in greater depth. [2]
MATERIAL.png Additional Materials
File Content
Pdf.png Games and Exercices by Unicef A guidebook outlining games and exercises for groups, UNICEF
Pdf.png 100 ways to energize groups A guide summarizing games designed for group situations, The International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Pdf.png 40 Icebreakers for Small Groups A compilation of icebreakers targeted at smaller groups, Insight


Link icon.png Web Resources
Below you have a list of selected websites where you can find some interesting examples of icebreakers:
Link Content
Ball around the world Article that describes a very simple activity to replace the boring round of table of self-introductions at the beginning of an international workshop: Ball around the world.
Icebreakers, Warmups, Energizers, & Deinhibitizers Several examples of icebreakers descriptions and websites.
Games and Exercises UNICEF report on games and exercises. Sectionc I and II have several examples of icebreakers.
Icebreakers A compilation page of icebreakers suggestions in a wiki on the KM4dev site.


References

  1. E-Learning Solutions on a Shoestring, Jane Bozarth, 2005, www.thefreedictionary.com (29 July 2008), encarta.msn.com (29 July 2008), en.wikipedia.org (29 July 2008);
  2. 50 Creative Training Openers and Energizers, Bob Pike and Lynn Solem, 2000, (27 October 2008);