Icebreaking

Introduction

Icebreaking in education refers to a type of activity that engages in learners in some preparation activity in order to make participants known to each other and/or in order to prepare for another activity.

For example, Augar et al. (2004) describe the following scenario of use: “In an attempt to remedy the lack of interaction noted in online discussion groups in previous years, a traditional icebreaker exercise used in classroom situated tutorials at Deakin University was adapted for use on a wiki. The premise for developing the icebreaker exercise was to explore new ways to help students get to know the other members of their online learning groups.”

Examples

See the links below

Links

Examples

• [2 Effective Icebreaker Activity Examples (elearning industry, 2 examples), retrieved April 2016

• Tucker, C. (nd). 8 icebreakers adapted for online student communities, part 1. Collaborize Classroom, pp. 1-4. Retrieved from http://files.simplek12.com/downloads/IcebreakersPtI.pdf (example of 8 activities), retrieved April 2016

Bibliography

Cited

Other

• Chlup, D. T., & Collins, T. E. (2010). Breaking the Ice: Using Ice-breakers and Re-energizers with Adult Learners. Adult Learning, 21(3/4), pp. 34-39, http://alx.sagepub.com/content/21/3-4/34.extract

• Collard, M. (nd). Team builders & Icebreakers. University of Central Missouri: Learning to a Greater Degree, pp. 1-54.

• DeSelits, L. D., & Dickerson, P. S. (2008). Using icebreakers to open communication. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 39(7), pp. 292-293.

• Mapping a Personalized Learning Journey: K-12 Students and Parents Connect the Dots with Digital Learning. Speak Up 2011 National Findings: K-12 Students & Parents. (2012). Project Tomorrow, pp. 1-17.

• Zigmond, R. H. (2008). Ask a provocative question to break the ice. College Teaching, 56(3), pp. 154-155.