Robert Talbert
https://gradingforgrowth.com/p/a-growth-focused-icebreaker
Article: Pedagogical Suggestions
A Growth-focused Icebreaker
Robert Talbert
Natalie’s
Recommendation
This “icebreaker” is both a great first-day activity and an example-in-miniature of a whole philosophy of what class participation should do. I love any activity that accomplishes multiple pedagogical goals at once, and these are two no-frills questions that can spark a fun discussion and get students thinking about their own learning.
I hate icebreakers. I don’t use that word “hate” often or lightly. But here, it’s justified. The purpose of icebreakers is, supposedly, to get people involved in some activity to make them more relaxed when working together. But the idea of going through some contrived activity, with a group of people I don’t know, specifically to expose myself to them on a personal level, usually through some horrifyingly embarrassing action or fact I’m forced to share — does not in any way relax me. And most of the time, icebreakers accomplish nothing except a lot of eye rolling and spiked anxiety levels.
So I’m not a fan of icebreakers. Therefore, when I say that I’ve finally found an icebreaker activity that really works, and one that I can live with, it’s a big deal. I’d like to describe it to you today. I use it on the first day of every class, as well as in the talks and workshops I give. You can run this activity with students at any time of the semester and get good results. In fact, it benefits from being given repeatedly throughout the semester. And it reinforces all the ideas about learning and growth that we write about on this blog.