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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Fill The Gap Debrief
Simple & creative technique to invite your group to share.
At A Glance
Participants are asked to complete a sentence started by the leader to explore a particular topic.
What You Need
- Form one large or several small groups.
- All kids standing or sitting in a circle.
What To Do
Here’s a simple debriefing technique that is easy to understand and will help you direct the focus of your group’s conversation.
It may sound like… “I would like each person to complete the rest of this sentence, to describe their own experience. Today, the most challenging thing I did was dot, dot, dot (or enter topic or question) …”
Variation
- To be sure every person has an opportunity to share, use the ‘Whip Around’ strategy as well.
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Whip Around Debrief
Quick and simple technique to debrief a group’s experience.
At A Glance
Situated in a circle, each person in turn is asked to briefly respond to a question.
What You Need
- Everyone standing or sitting in a circle.
What To Do
This is one of my favourite ways to process a group’s experience – it’s quick, simple to understand and allows everyone to speak.
It may sound like … “Starting with whoever answers first, and then we’ll work our way around the circle in a clockwise direction, (enter question…) ”
Variations
- Whip around the circle the first time asking for only one word or phrase answers. Then, whip around a second time asking for each kid to use the word or phrase they chose in a sentence so that it helps the group understand what they chose it.
- Can be usefully integrated with other techniques discussed in the Debriefing Strategies section.
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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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