Icebreakers

Icebreakers

Icebreakers are not always met with enthusiasm, but they are an effective tool for building familiarity and connectedness amongst a student cohort.

This resource is a collection of icebreakers that you might use in your course, both in face-to-face and online delivery courses.

Two Truths and a Lie

Activity: Students present three statements about themselves, two which are true and one which is false, such as “I have three younger brothers, I spent a semester in France, and I have been skydiving twice”. The other students have to guess which of the statements is the lie.

Find Somehow Who...

Activity:  Provide students with a grid similar to Bingo with descriptions that could fit the cohort such as ‘has an older sister’, ‘has been to New Zealand’. Students are given time to find other students who fit the descriptions, and the first to get all in a row wins.

Three of a Kind

Activity:  Set a time limit and instruct students to find three of their peers with whom they share something in common with.

Find Your Pair

Activity:  Put pairs of objects on pieces of paper (e.g., salt and pepper). Stick the paper to student’s back without letting them see, then instruct students to find their pair by asking each other questions about what is on their back.

This or That

Activity:  Students stand together as you present a choice between ‘this or that’. Depending on their answer students go to one side of the room or the other.

Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament

Activity:  Having a rock, paper, scissors tournament requires some organisation, but is a fun and easy way to get students comfortable with each other.  If the class is big, the tournament can be done in rounds until there are two students for the grand final.

Human Knot

Activity:  Students are asked to gather together into a tight bunch.  Reach hands to the middle of the group and take hold of another student’s hand, left hand of one student, and right hand of another. The group of students much now untangle themselves without letting go, to form one large circle. This could be done in large or small groups.

'Same and Different' Team Building

Activity:  The aim is to learn information about others. Split participants into groups of 3 or more and allocate them to breakout rooms. Ask each group to write down as a list, using an online whiteboard or virtual sticky, the interesting things that they all have in common, and something unique to each participant.  At the end of 5 minutes, ask each group to share their list to the rest of the class via an online whiteboard or Padlet.

Introducing Each Other

Activity:  Pair up participants into twos. Give them a list of questions to ask each other. Each pair interviews each other (via email, or breakout rooms), then when all participants are back together in the virtual room, each participant will introduce the person they interviewed. If time is an issue, it could be limited to reporting back one fact about the other person.

Map Locations

Activity:  If participants are located all over the world, show a world map on screen (e.g., using Padlet) and ask students to note where they are located. Follow this up with discussion about your student demographics and differing perspectives, e.g., how long have they been living there?

Shipwrecked

Activity:  Ask students to imagine that they have been shipwrecked. Ask them to provide a list of 5 items they wish they had with them. Participants can share answers via the chat window or a Padlet board, and outline why they chose those items.

One Word (or One Image)

Activity:  Ask participants to choose one word (or image) that best describes them and explain why. Get them to share their answers (word or image) via a Padlet board, or via the chat.

Accomplished Goals

Activity:  This activity focuses on positive achievements.  Ask participants to say a goal they have achieved in the last 12 months (it does not matter how small). Discuss – e.g., how did they feel when they achieved the goal, or what skills were important in achieving the goal. Achievements could be posted on chat, or virtual whiteboard, or Padlet.

Describe Yourself

Activity:  Ask participants to describe themselves in under 20 words. Post to a Padlet. Students could also include a photo or avatar of themselves if they want to, to go with their description.

Interest and Hobbies

Activity:  Ask participants to post an image that reflects their favourite hobby. Images could be posted via chat, Padlet or whiteboard. The other students are then asked to guess whose hobbies are whose. This discussion could be held live online, or again via the Padlet.