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?
Comments
4 Comments on Ubuntu Cards
- Stephan Friedrich on Wed, 14th Mar 2012 8:35 am
Thanks Mark, Sounds like a nice simple way to start activity. Iw ill check it out.
Stephan
- Stuart McKinnon on Wed, 14th Mar 2012 10:34 am
Thank you Mark.
Greatly appreciated. Keep that brain ticking with innovative ideas!
Stuart
- Darren Wensor on Mon, 14th May 2012 1:59 pm
Hey Mark, a few weeks ago I had my first experience with using the Ubuntu cards. It was hugely successful. The occasion was the introductory session at the start of the first live-in preparation camp with the 2012 Little Athletics NSW State Team. The overall team program consisted of two team camps plus a four-day trip to Hobart to contest the Australian Little Athletics Championships. The group consisted of twenty-six 13-15 years old athletes (male and female) and their parents who were there for an introductory/information session. Prior to the formal part of the information session we played half an hour of icebreakers with the group, the first using the Ubutu cards. We had each of the athletes team up with their own parent/s, distributed a card to each athlete/parent team and then paired up the athlete/parent teams. Each group introduced themselves to their immediate partners, then as you suggest, were asked to find the common item on the card, then something else they had in common. The amount of chatter, smiling and laughing was amazing. Teaming up the athletes with their own parents had many advantages: the more shy children had their parents with them to help break the ice and promote conversation thus it was less of a step outside their comfort zone; parents got to know children other than their own child and the athletes got to know parents other than their own parent; and everyone got to know which athletes “belonged” to which parents and which parents “belonged” to which athlete. It was the ideal icebreaker to begin our program which ultimately proved very successful: a very close state team; a very supportive and easy-to-get-along-with group of parents; and a team victory at the championships.
- Mark Collard on Mon, 14th May 2012 3:27 pm
Hey Darren, thnak you so much for your detailed and enthusiastic reply – it’s so good to hear your experiences. Play on and have FUNN, Mark
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