Tip – How To Mix Large Groups
Last week, I facilitated two very large groups of teachers (approx 120 people). With each group, I chose to present one of my all-time favourite mixing activities, Categories (No Props, p31), and I quickly recalled a VITAL facilitation secret.
With small groups, it’s pretty easy for people to find others who match a particular category, eg similar colour top. But, as I quickly recalled, in large groups this ain’t so easy! Often, lots of little groups of the same category will form all over the place, either because they can’t see or hear each other, or they are simply too overwhelmed by the numbers and give up! Which doesn’t ordinarily add up to success.
Soooo… my suggestion is to direct large groups as they form to particular areas according to the category. For example, “… left-arm on top, stand over here, and right-arm on top, stand over there …” Or, if you introduce a category that has lots of possibilities, suggest that every ‘grouping’ forms at the outer edges of the room, or circle (so it’s easier to see and find others).
Anything you can do to cut down the confusion or to make it easy for folks, will go a long way to helping large groups of people interact more comfortably and, therefore, successfully.
Have FUNN 
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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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