Purpose
To provide learners with an opportunity to develop ideas for applying session content in their workplace.Objective(s)
Through the use a small group activity, the facilitator will be able to:• Cause learners to reflect on session content;
• Cause learners to generate ideas for applying content to their work-place or other environment(s); and
• Tap into the collective knowledge and brain power of small groups.
Group Size
Twenty-fiveProcess
Prior to the beginning of your session, you’ll need to create two different colored decks of 3-by-5 index cards for each group in the activity. You can substitute two different colors of copy paper cut into sections at least 3 by 5 inches.On one deck of colored cards write the eight to ten key concepts or terms covered in the session—one per card.
On the second color cards write eight to ten of the issues or challenges related to session content—one per card.
For samples, see the lists at the end of this activity. There must be an equal number of cards in each deck, so you may need to include some duplicate concepts or issues, depending on which deck is short.
When ready to start the activity, form equal-sized groups (see Creatively Forming Groups in the Introduction).
Select a leader (spokesperson, facilitator, and timekeeper) and scribe (note-taker) for each group (see Creatively Selecting Volunteers in the
Introduction).
Give one of each deck to each group, have them shuffle each deck sepa-rately, then place the decks face down in two separate piles on a table.
Explain that in one colored deck they will find key session ideas or concepts on the cards and that in the other colored deck they will find a workplace issue or challenge related to the session content on each card.
Tell learners that leaders should draw one concept and one issue/challenge card and read both to their respective group (used cards are to be placed face up under the bottom of the appropriate deck once they have been identified).
Scribes will create flip-chart pages with a vertical line drawn from top to bottom dividing the page down the middle. On the top left-hand side they should print the word CONCEPT and on the top right-hand side the words ISSUE/CHALLENGE.
As each card is turned over, the scribe will capture the concept and
issue/challenge on the flip-chart page and number them sequentially starting with 1 and going down the page.
After all the cards have been drawn, leaders will take their groups through a brainstorming session to identify each concept one at a time and identify ways in which it can help solve or address its corresponding issue/challenge.
Allow up to 60 minutes (no more than 5 minutes per concept/issue/
challenge) for brainstorming (time will vary based on actual number of issues/challenge cards were used) and prioritizing items.
As the brainstorming proceeds, scribes should start a second sheet of flip-chart paper with the number 1 and capture different ideas generated by the group for that concept.
After concept number 1 is finished, the scribes should put a “2” on a second sheet, the number 3 on a third sheet, and so on, repeating the process until all the ideas for each concept and issue/challenge have been recorded.
Once all concepts and issues/challenges have been addressed, have groups decide which idea is the most feasible for implementation for each concept, based on known time, resources, staffing levels, and so forth, in their depart-ment or organization.
Process Follow-Up
Ask: “What worked well during this activity process?”“What challenges did you encounter?”
“How did you overcome any challenges?”
Go around the room and have each leader in turn present the item his or her group voted as most feasible.
Ask: “Which ideas just presented can you see using right away in the workplace?”
“How will you go about convincing others to buy in on the idea?”
Suggest that each group member should make a copy of all the ideas pre-sented and go back to the workplace/environment to discuss how they might be applied with others in their workgroup or team.
Reward all participants with candy, and give leaders and scribes small prizes for their volunteer effort.
Have everyone give a round of applause for their effort and great ideas.
Option(s)
1. Instead of doing this as a group activity, pass around both decks of cards and have each person choose one card from each deck then individually spend 10 to 15 minutes coming up with ideas for applying the concept to the workplace issue/challenge. Depending on the number of learners present and the total concepts and issues/challenges on cards, you may end up with two or more people receiving the same concept orissue/challenge item. However, because of the random nature of the draw, their content and issue/challenge cards will differ, so their
responses and ideas will vary. This will actually result in additional ideas for the group to consider for implementation; or
2. Do this as an instructor-led activity, showing one content item and one issue/challenge, then having the group brainstorm ideas for implementing the concept, which either you or a volunteer captures on a flip-chart page.
Props/Tools Needed
• Flip-chart paper;• Various colored markers;
• Masking tape;
• Colored 3-by-5 index cards or colored paper;
• Noisemaker (bell, whistle, gong, hand clappers); and
• Candy or small prizes.
Possible Topic Application
Any session in which problem solving, teamwork, and session content review are desired outcomes.Why It Is Brain-Based
Provides opportunity to reflect on content and workplace issues;Involves group dynamics and interaction;
Appeals to visual and auditory learners;
Engages learners mentally;
Recognizes and rewards behavior;
Accesses several of Gardner’s multiple intelligences (interpersonal and linguistic);
Uses color; and
Includes use of sound (noisemaker).