The future depends on play – Seriously!
Folks, if you’ve got 9 minutes to spare, check out this OUTSTANDING documentary that shines a bright light on the vital importance of play to our health, happiness, and the future of life itself!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO…
I’m sure you’ll be inspired,
Mark
<<< playmeo Launched >>>
Hey folks,
I’m excited to announce that my NEW online resource for play & adventure- based activities is now LIVE…
Sign up for a FREE account, or SUBSCRIBE to get access to all the new premium content – video tutorials, leadership tips, illustrations, variations, framing ideas, etc, etc.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT playmeo…
Very soon, all of the traffic from this site will be directed to playmeo, so bookmark it now. More than 135 activities have already been loaded, and dozens more are coming soon.
Be sure to add some feedback (look for the smiley face on LHS of page). This is just Version 1.0… so stay tuned, because so much more is yet to come….
Have FUNN,
Mark
Ten TED Talks Every Team Should See
What’s a TED talk, I hear you say?
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, and avid followers of this site will know that I’m a HUGE fan.
Tons of really, really valuable videos from some of the top experts around the world that are typically inspiring, educational and all out informative. I guarantee these talks will impact you in a big way.
If developing teams interests you, click this link, and take your pick from the ten TED talks you should see.
Enjoy!
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Got A Question?
Do you have a programming or leadership question?
Are you looking for a particular activity to suit your group’s needs?
Ask Mark!
Some recent questions include -
Q: Looking for Problem-Solving Activities That Are Missing a Vital Clue?
Q: Activities Appropriate for Kids with Autism / ADHD?
Q: When to Stop an Activity that’s not Working?
Q: How to deal with group’s expectations?
Click here to see the answers…
Gotcha
… another sneak peek at the content that is NOW available featuring 100′s of play & adventure-based activities at playmeo.com…
At A Glance
Standing in a circle with their index fingers pointing downward into their partners’ open palms, everyone tries to catch the juxtapositioned finger at the same time.
Benefits
- Extremely fun
- Triggers raptures of laughter
- Tons of variations
- Sharpens reflexes
- Any size group
Time: 5 – 10
People: 2+
What To Do – Step by Step
- Form a circle, including yourself, facing inwards and standing side by side.
- Ask everyone to hold our their right hand palm-facing up towards their right-hand side neighbour.
- Ask everyone to place the end of their left pointer finger into the open palm of their left-hand neighbour.
- On “GO,” everyone attempts to catch the finger of their partner in their right palm while also avoiding their finger being caught by their left-hand neighbour.
- A person who successfully catches a finger in their palm yells “GOTCHA!”
- Repeat several times, or try one of many variations.
What To Do – Narrative
Ask your group to form a circle, including yourself, facing inwards and standing side by side.
By way of demonstration, hold your right hand out to your right hand side (about shoulder height) with your palm flat and facing upwards, extend the index finger of your left hand, and place it into the flat and open palm of the person on your left.
Look around, and your group should be inextricably linked. Next, explain that on the command “GO” – which, incidentally, works pretty well to start a game – everyone should attempt to catch the finger of the person on their right, that which is pointing downward, touching the centre of their palm, while at the same time, avoid being caught by the person on their left.
Of course, jocularity prevails in one instantaneous trigger of energy – it’s my favourite part, and never fails to produce plenty of excitement and laughter. Ask people to shout out “GOTCHA!” when they happen to catch their neighbour’s finger.
Now, you could try to move on, but I doubt you will want to. Not only will your group want to do it over and over again, but there are oodles of variations to try (see below).
My biggest Gotcha group? Two-hundred and fifty! Spectacular.
Practical Leadership Tips
There are ample moments of humour here. Observe the way in which the palms of some people that started out as flat are slowly curling with each round. Or the proclivity of folks to not want to touch their finger tip on their neighbour’s palm, lest they get caught!! It’s all so funny.
Activity Variations
- Try this again several times, switching palms from the right to the left (to benefit our left-brained friends), ie the left palm is facing upwards, and a right index finger is extended.
- Cross your arms as you play, ie extend the right palm in front of your chest to point toward the person on your left, and place your left index finger into the waiting palm on your right.
- Try all variations with your palms upside-down, and index fingers pointing up.
- Regular set-up, but this time each person attempts to catch the finger sitting in their right palm with their left hand. Try it. Hilarious.
- Original set-up, add a further challenge. Instruct people to place their right foot directly above, but not touching the left toes of their right-hand side partner. On “GO,” you try to tag the foot of your partner, whilst trying to avoid being tagged and performing the usual finger and palm routine.
- Everything above, but groups of only two or three or whatever.
Useful Framing Ideas
I’d like you to imagine that when it comes to lunch, we will all be seated in a five-star restaurant, and served from silver trays and cloches. Hold out your right hand as if you are holding a tray of your most favourite, gourmet lunch you can think of. Hmmm mmmm, my tray is vegetable lasagne. What’s yours? Now, move your tray in the direction of the person on your right-hand side so that they can see your lunch. At the same time, I’d like you to extend your left pointer finger and place it into the tray of the person on your left…
To be successful, it is critical that any group is connected in some way to one another. The connections need not be physical or indeed, visual, but there will always be some form of connectedness between a group of people that fuels their success. On many occasions, the link will be as simple as their shared values. What are the most important values of this group?
… extracted from playmeo.com – the world’s leading source of online content for play & adventure-based learning activities.
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Space Counting
(You’ll note a few NEW features in this activity write-up,
just a precursor to what’s in store in my new online activity resource
www.playmeo.com – launching July 2012).
At A Glance
With their pointer fingers extended, two people face each other and on “GO” attempt to draw the numbers from one to thirty in the air as quickly as possible.
Benefits
A brilliant partner activity that is fun as much as it is a metaphor for many real-life situations.
- Simple to accomplish
- Generates lots of energy
- Inspires many powerful metaphors
- Lots of adaptations
What You Need
- 10 minutes
- Nil equipment
- Minimum of 2 people.
What To Do
This gem is sourced directly from my friend and mentor, Karl Rohnke, one of the most well-known (and funnest) adventure educators in the world. He ‘discovered’ this activity as he was pedalling on his exercise bike during the cool-down phase of his daily exercise regime. He challenged himself to draw the numbers of the seconds (in the air) as they ticked down from 60 in the closing minute of his morning routine. And from this humble beginning, blossomed a new partner activity…
Start by asking your group to form into pairs. Each partner should face the other and extend one of their pointer fingers in front of them (chest-height) so that the tip of their finger lies within 30cm (12”) of their partner.
From this ready position, the action begins. On “GO,” each person attempts to write the numbers 1 to 30 as quickly as they can in the air in front of them (aka space) using their pointer finger as their writing instrument of choice. The first one to reach 30 wins, and may pump their clenched fist into the air as a sign of competitive superiority.
Invite individuals to swap partners a couple of times, and then introduce a twist.
This time, invite one of the two partners to copy or imitate the movements of the other as they draw their numbers in the air. My suggested framing would sound like this “TRACE THE IDENTICAL PATH OF YOUR PARTNER’S FINGER.” Note, that I did not say “…write the number backwards” even though these are often the words that passed through their grey-matter! So, while one partner is busy writing numbers in the air, the other person is attempting to precisely follow their drawing movements.
Naturally, when one person has completed their task, they swap roles with their tracing partner.
As you may have guessed, this exercise is not as easy as it sounds. And for this purpose, I would strongly recommend that after several rounds of this and other variations described below, you debrief your group about what they observed during the activity. See below for valuable leadership and framing tips.
Leadership Tips
As with many activities, especially if there is a chance someone is not listening to you (what?), it’s always a good idea to invite a volunteer to join you in a demonstration. This choice also serves a valuable second objective – it invites someone to ‘take a risk’ which is enormously transformative in the life of a group.
Even if only for a good laugh, suggest that the competitive version of this exercise works on an ‘honour’ system. That is, if an individual feels that a particular number they have just drawn is not legible, they are honour-bound to write that number again, … or not.
With the more strenuous / focused variations, I often instruct the pairs to write from 1 to 15 or 20 at the most.
Variations
- As above, but this time the writing partner chooses to draw any ten numbers at random (between 1 and 30), but their partner’s goal is the same – to trace as best as possible the identical path of their partner’s finger. Again, process your group’s experience – Was this easier or harder to focus? Having removed the anticipation (of what number is coming up next), were you more or less successful?
- In pairs, still facing one another, each person uses their idle (non-writing) hand to grab the wrist of their partner’s drawing hand in an attempt to keep the movement of their drawing arm and hand immobile as possible. Regardless of the version, it’s considerably more difficult, right?
Framing Ideas
As with many play and adventure-based activities, I will often introduce this activity via a fun story (such as how Karl discovered this exercise on his bike) or personal experience. And then as the variations unfold, and I take the time to briefly process my group’s observations and interactions, the connections and metaphors to real life become apparent.
The results of this exercise are rich with many meaningful metaphors. You’re bound to discover more of your own, but here’s a few to start with:
- Style – not everyone performs a certain task the same way, but often gets the same result.
- Goal-setting and Focus – when I am solely focused on achieving my goal (tracing the finger of my partner), I am more successful.
- Distinguishing the actual problem – is my task to draw the numbers backwards (the brain-generated thought of ‘what I thought I heard you say’), or am I following your directions (what you actually said).
- Making assumptions – acting or making a decision based on poor information (pre-empting the shape of a particular number, or the next number in sequence).
Adapted from ‘Silver Bullets: 25th Anniversary edition’ by Karl Rohnke.
Me You You Me
(You’ll note a few NEW features in this activity write-up,
just a precursor to what’s in store in my new online activity resource
www.playmeo.com – launching July 2012).
At A Glance
Walking inside the perimeter of a circle, each person introduces his or her name and repeats the name of every other person they are greeting in a particular sequence.
Benefits
A know-your-own-name-game classic in the making
- Triggers spontaneous laughter
-
Highly interactive
- Deceptively simple
What You Need
- 5 minutes
- Nil equipment
- Recommend 10 – 20 people
What To Do
Start by asking your group to form a circle. Using your example as a demonstration, step in front of the person who was standing to your left. Shake this person’s hand, and simply say your own name. Nothing else, no “How do you do,” or “My name is…,” simply state your name. Next, whilst still shaking hands, instruct your partner to say his or her name. Pretty easy so far, but it’s not over. Here comes the fun part.
The person who first introduced him or her self (you in the case of this demonstration), now repeats (says) the name of the person they are greeting (you’re still shaking hands by the way). Again, nothing more, just repeat their name. And, to finish, your partner repeats (says) your name back to you.
That’s it, you can now unclasp sweaty hands, and move on to the next person to your right in the circle. So, if I were starting, and the name of my left-hand side neighbour was Ruby, our exchange would sound like this – “MARK,” “RUBY,” “RUBY,” “MARK.”
This exact process of back-and-forth greetings continues with each greeter (you, initially) moving to his or her right, and shaking the hands of the next person in the circle. And, as they do, this movement causes the outside of the circle (which has just been greeted) to follow behind the first person (you) effectively curling inside itself. For example, by the time you get to the third person in the circle, the first person you greeted will have joined you inside the circle and started to greet the second person in line. Get it?
In essence, everyone gets to walk on the inside of the circle and greet everyone once, and then resume their original position in the circle. At which point, every other person will greet them a second time as these folks step inside the circle and return to their original spot in the circle.
Trust me, this really is very simple, it’s just not very easy to comprehend when you are only readings words off a page. And I can almost guarantee, inside the time it takes for the first few exchanges to occur, the group will erupt in guffaws as one or more people mix up their names. It’s astonishing how often people say the wrong name at the wrong time.
Leadership Tips
You’d be mistaken to think that this exercise was all about learning names. Yes, some folks may pick up a few names, but it’s all about taking subtle risks, sharing and above all, laughing.
With especially large groups (see variation described below), as the two tails of the inner circle meet and start to pass each other, one of two events may occur – (a) the action stops because no one knows how to deal with the chaos, or (b) the group will battle on trying to successfully greet everyone per the rules. Either way, it doesn’t matter, provided you generated lots of non-threatening interaction and laughter.
Variations
- Got a large group of say 30 or 50 people? Two options (a) you can split this number into several smaller groups (and continue as above), or (b) if you would prefer to keep them all together, start the initial greetings to the left and right direction of the break in the circle at the same time. That is, you get one ‘snake’ started off to your left, and then after a few exchanges, leave the head of that snake and start a new one on the right hand side of the circle from whence you were standing. The two snakes will eventually meet in the middle and collide, and chaos will reign. But that’s OK, some groups will persist to make it work, others will just look to you and say “HELP!” Just smile.
- Exchange the use of a name with something interesting about yourself, eg honest, fun, thirty-two, Brazilian, etc. That was not meant to sound like a personal ad, but you get the idea. So, it may sound like “BUFFED,” “FINNISH,” “FINNISH,” “BUFFED.”
Framing Ideas
How often have you just been introduced to someone new, or that person told you their name, and literally three seconds later, you realise you’ve forgotten their name? It’s as if you never even heard it! Embarrassing, I know! And the truth is, most of us would prefer to avoid that person (for the rest of the party, or work shift, etc) than face the ignominy of fessing up and admitting to have forgotten that person’s name. This exercise says it’s OK to forget someone’s name, and that it’s OK to ask someone to repeat their name to remind you.
Most people are inclined to suggest that they are not very good at remembering people’s names. I don’t think this is true, but most of us would rather lower people’s expectations than face the embarrassment of getting a name wrong. This exercise re-frames this awkward social phenomenon by saying that it’s OK to ask someone to repeat their name, because this interaction says “I care to know your name”, and not that “I’m stupid and forgot.”
Sourced from ‘No Props: Great Games with No Equipment’ and adapted for use in playmeo.
Fifty Things To Do Before You’re 11…
Did you know that fewer than one in 10 children regularly play in wild places, compared with almost half a generation ago?
This is the finding of a report commissioned by Britain’s National Trust, which also found that a third of children have never climbed a tree! Really? 
I thought this was core curriculum for every kid. Not so, apparently.
In response to a world suffocated by “screen” time, the Trust compiled a list of 50 things every kid under 11 years of age should do.
This list includes simple outdoor pleasures such as:
- running around in the rain,
- bug hunting,
- snail racing
- flying a kite, etc.
So, … when was the last time you rolled down a hill, climbed a tree, or even played a tag game?
A great article, and one that reminds me not to neglect the simplest pleasures of “being a kid” (no matter how old we are).
My favourite thing to do as a kid? – build cubby huts, and discover rock pools at the beach…
Click HERE, to tell me your favourite outdoor activity when you were 11 years old …
How To Involve & Engage Difficult Kids?
This was a question sent to me from a participant who attended one of my recent workshops…
Q: What activities do you think would be well suited to students who are hard to work with and disengaged from participation? – Duncan (WA)
Here’s a part of my response…
… I can totally understand the “resistance” issue with the kids you’re working with especially. However, the principle is the same as with any other group – it’s all about preparation. If at any time they resist, it’s just a signal that they are not comfortable, and need more preparation. Most of the time, your groups are going to need LOTS more preparation, esp in terms of “sharing” and trusting one another.
However, that said, these groups are often the quickest to embrace the power of these interactions once they ‘get over’ themselves. And that’s part of our job. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’m not saying that this is a lottery, but a play and adventure-based learning approach is just one tool in your arsenal, there is NO magic trick.
So, to your questions about what activities are good to introduce with these kids – well, pretty much anything that involves their WHOLE body – keep them moving, and subtly, invite them into “safe” places to share. An hour of running around, having a laugh, and raising heart beats goes a long way to helping kids feel more effective at sharing. It’s often baby steps at first (there’s a LOT of ice to break with these kids), but over time, you should start to see some kids get the idea, and feel safer to share and thereby open the door to learning and trusting.
Final word of advice… I often also spend some considerable time and effort “framing” my experiences before I invite challenging groups to “risk” playing. Sometimes this is a conversation, but often it can be just the way I behave or the type of activities I introduce that communicates “what is expected around here.” If it seems like rules, they’ll buck up. But, if the fun is really obvious, it’s often hard for kids to step away from it. And as I often say, it’s hard to look “cool” when every one else is having a fun time.
Do you have a leadership or programming question for Mark?
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Ubuntu Cards
One of the most exciting NEW props you can use to invite interaction and fun
At A Glance
A set of unique double-sided picture cards which present an endless array of conversation starters and opportunities to interact within a group.
What You Need
- 1 x set of Ubuntu cards
What To Do
These cards are my latest, favourite prop – here’s just one of a zillion of ways to use them…
Distribute one card (there’s 54 in the pack) to each person in your group. Describe that that there are two sides to each card, every one of them different.
On one side, there is a large picture of a unique object such as a hammer, a rubber chook or a model train. On the other side, there are 8 smaller images selected from the 54 larger items. Somehow (and I’m not a mathematician) any two cards will have one item in common among these 8 images. Crazy, I know! But it works every time.
Ask everyone to mingle and find a partner. On the count of “1, 2, 3″ each person flashes the 8-image side of their card to their partner. The first person to identify the common image / object, earns a brownie point!
From this point, you can take one of many routes. For example, once the match is identified, ask each partnership to have a quick chat to discover at least one thing that they have in common – but – encourage them to look beyond the obvious. Then, each person swaps Ubuntu cards, and returns to mingling and seeks out a new partner. And repeat many times.
Variations
- As above, but this time, partners stand back to back. One person starts by describing one of the 8 smaller objects on his/her Ubuntu card – but, without using the object’s name. They can describe its use, colour, shape, where it may be found, etc. Once a match is discovered, partners turn around and continue to share as above.
- Click here to read several more Ubuntu Card variations posted on the official Ubuntu Collaborative Resource page (as moderated by my good friends Ryan McCormick & High-5 Learning Adventure Center, USA).
If you are already using Ubuntu cards, why not post your favourite variation by clicking here…
Click here if you want to get your own Ubuntu card set?
The Maze
Dynamic problem-solving initiative that can be linked powerfully to real life
At A Glance
A group attempts to navigate the correct path across a series of spots on the ground.
What You Need
- Bunch of rubber spots / carpet tiles / chalk circles
- Pen & paper
What To Do
This is an ideal problem-solving exercise when you don’t have a lot of room to use.
In advance, lay a series of rubber gym spots /carpet tiles or simply draw chalk circles on the floor, arranged in rows and columns (see photograph). There’s no magic number, but the more spots, the more difficult the task will be.
Start your group at one end of the spots, and explain that you would like the group to navigate their way through the maze – one step at a time – to identify the secret pathway. The correct path starts with one of the spots in the top row (closest to the group), and will finish with one of the spots which form the final row. How the path travels between those two points is a secret.
As with electricity, suggest that the secret pathway will follow the path of least resistance, so it will not run in a straight line, and may turn in any direction, but it will never cross itself, nor use any spot twice (see sample below). Also explain that once identified, the path will not change.
Instruct your group that only one person is entitled to enter the area of the spots at any point in time. To this end, the group may choose to task several people to enter the area to navigate the path, but only ever one person at a time. Explain that every time a spot is stepped on (with both feet), you will either give the thumbs up (yes, part of the path) or thumbs down (no, not the correct path). Tally the number of “errors,” challenging the group to navigate the path with as few errors as possible.
This is the basic set-up. To add extra spice, add one or more of the variations described below.
Note, like many problem-solving activities, this activity and its execution are wonderfully applicable to many a metaphor. For example, the maze represents a journey (or the life of a group), because it has a start and an end and many unknowns in between, and to be successful the whole group must work together, etc.
Variations
-
Each time an error is made (stepped on wrong spot, or perhaps in wrong sequence), require the stepper to retrace their correct steps back out of the maze returning to the start.
- Establish a maximum number of “errors” the group can incur to be “successful.” Based on the maze I often use (illustrated at right), most groups are able to be “successful” in 30 or less errors.
- Ask the group to complete the task silently, ie no verbal communication once the spotted area is entered for the first time. This may mean that they group can talk during their designated planning time.
- For groups still developing their social skills, use less spots or a greater number of allowable errors.
Do you have other ideas about this exercise? If so, let me and the world know by clicking here…
Stop Stealing Dreams
The economy has changed, probably forever. School hasn’t.
Everyone asks “What do you think we ought to do about education
?” Seth Godin responds by asking “What is school for?”
I regard Seth Godin as one of the most passionate and brilliant thinkers of our time. His manifesto ‘Stop Stealing Dreams‘ is dedicated to every teacher who cares enough to change the system, and to every student brave enough to stand up and speak up.
I urge you to click the link below, download his manifesto, and start thinking about what is possible.
CLICK HERE to download the ‘Stop Stealing Dreams’ pdf
As Seth says.. “…Ultimately, our future belongs to a generation that decides to be passionate about learning and shipping (ie creating and producing), and great teachers are the foundation for that…”
And when you’re done, come back here and add a comment, share your ideas….
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Spectrums Debrief
Simple, quick & non-verbal technique to debrief a group’s experience
At A Glance
People respond to a series of questions by standing between two points of a spectrum.
What You Need
- Ample room to assemble your group in a line.
What To Do
Position your group so that they can see a line (imaginary or otherwise) marked on the ground about 5 to 8 metres long (depending on how many people are in your group). Or, place two items this distance apart and suggest that there is an imaginary line between them.
It may sound like… “Imagine that this end of the line means Extremely Easy, and this other end of the line means Impossible, and all other levels of easy to hard fit in between this spectrum. Thinking about our lesson today balancing on your surfboard in the water, where would you stand on this line in regards the relative ease of that task – at one end, or the other, or somewhere in between?”
Variations
- Introduce two or more ‘spectrums’ in a row.
- Invite kids who happen to be standing close to one another, to share why they are standing where they are standing.
Click here to make a comment, or share a variation of this technique…
Paired Shares Debrief
Brilliant method to invite more sharing & generate lots of energy.
At A Glance
Pose a question for groups of two or three people to discuss.
What You Need
Groups of pairs situated within ear-shot of you.
What To Do
Ask your group to form groups of two (or three) people. Depending on how long you wish to occupy them, the pairs can either stand or sit. Position yourself so that all groups can hear you.
It may sound like… “With just your partner(s), I would like you to share … (enter question)…”
Variation
- After a minute or two, invite several small groups to volunteer what they shared with the whole group.
Click here to make a comment, or share a variation of this technique…
Up The Challenge
Hi folks,
This is not a full write-up, but I wanted to quickly share a great idea I came across which was posted on a list-server I’m subscribed to…
Many people are familiar with The Great Egg Drop problem-solving activity, but it’s been around for a while, and so the question was asked – What else is out there?
Try this – inflate a bunch of balloons using helium. Distribute one (or more) to each person or small group. The task is for each person/group to attach whatever they choose (or you could limit the resources) to the base of the balloon(s) with the objective of becoming the last balloon to reach the ceiling/roof.
The only condition is that to “win” a balloon must eventually reach the ceiling/roof.
This exercise kind of reminds me of the plot from the film ‘Up.‘
Awesome! Try it out, and tell me what you think by adding a comment…
Have FUNN 
Exercise As Brain Food
In the past 12 months there has been a growing mountain of research that has generated a lot of excitement in PE and adventure-based learning circles which speaks to the CRITICAL VALUE of integrating play and exercise in our lives, every day! Especially for kids.
Click the image at right to read this short article.
As John Ratey says in his book ‘Spark,‘ exercise and play are as essential to human development and health as sleep and nutrition. I highly recommend reading his book for more details.
So… how often did you exercise / move your body today? That’s what it’s designed for.
Coloured Ball Debrief
Wonderfully creative and random way to debrief your group’s experience.
At A Glance
Participants are asked to randomly pull a ball out of a bag, the colour of which will direct the focus of their response.
What You Need
- Selection of balls (different colours) or other multi-coloured items.
- Form one large or several small groups.
- Everyone standing or sitting in a circle.
What To Do
I love to use this technique because it’s creative and produces totally random results.
It may sound like… “In a moment, I will pull a series of balls out of this hat. Each of the balls is a different colour, and each colour represents something in particular about today’s lesson. For example, when I pull a yellow ball out of the hat I want you to share a highlight, if I pull a black ball I want you to share something about today you didn’t like, if I pull a red ball I want you to share something you saw someone else do today, or if I pull a blue ball, I want you to share something you learned today. Okay, our first ball is…”
Variations
- Choose to direct each question for the whole group to answer.
- Pass the bag around the circle so each person can pull their own coloured ball.
- Return the ball back into the bag after each response.
Click here to make a comment, or share a variation of this exercise…
One Minute Debrief
One of the quickest and easiest debriefing techniques ever devised!
At A Glance
A group is asked to respond rapidly to one or more questions in no more than sixty seconds.
What You Need
- Form one large or several small groups.
- Everyone standing or sitting in a circle.
What To Do
This is perfect for those moments when you have very little time to debrief your group’s experrience.
It may sound like this… “Using my watch, you have exactly 60 seconds to share whatever you’re thinking about two important questions (or topics). Are you ready? Okay, your first question is … (enter question, time elapses) … ten seconds remaining … Okay, second question is .. (enter question) .. quick, less than ten seconds to go …”
Variation
- Use this timed strategy with the Whip Around technique, to encourage everyone to participate.
Click here to make a comment, or share a variation of this exercise…
End Of Year Gifts
In the spirit of Xmas, here are three gifts I’d like to pass onto you.
I have received so much value from each of these three resources during the year, I feel compelled to share them with you too (the first two are free):
Seth Godin’s Blog – Seth is a brilliant thinker. I receive his short blog every day, and it’s always one of the first things I read. I think he’s one of the world’s most brilliant entrepreneurial thinkers, and pushes me to enter my “stretch zone” to be remarkable all the time. Click HERE to subscribe to Seth’s free blog today.- TED (Technology, Entertainment & Design) – This site is all about ideas worth spreading. If you like to be inspired, gob-smacked and down-right moved, then drop into this site on a regular occasion. It’s free and features only the best people and thinkers in their fields.
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science Of Exercise & The Brain (John Ratey) – If you’re interested in how physical activity and play are related to developing more effective learners (think students), then you MUST get this book. I heard John give an address in Boston a few months ago, and there was a standing ovation. We need to hear and heed John’s message. If you live in Australia or New Zealand, you can get his book ‘Spark’ by clicking this link and entering the discount code “Inspire.”
Happy holidays everyone!
PS: See you in the new year, when I launch an exciting NEW initiative – the ultimate on-line resource of games and activities that inspire groups to play, trust and learn!
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Who am I?
Hi, I'm Mark Collard.
This blog shares some of the most successful group games, team-building activities & programming tips I know.
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