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Category: EXERCISES & ACTIVITIES

A Perfect DEBRIEF for a Perfect Learning Game

A Perfect DEBRIEF for a Perfect Learning Game

Let’s say you find the perfect learning game—for communication, listening, negotiation, leadership, process improvement, problems solving, critical thinking, time management—then what? Games work because they remove players from their usual setting and create a safe environment to take risks a... Read More
Choosing What to Share

Choosing What to Share

We all have a different sense of personal privacy. Five years ago, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer (now cancer-free!), I had no need to keep the news private. To the contrary, I saw myself as part of a community—one that could support me and that I could help by sharing my experience. Asâ€... Read More
Me First: A Firsthand Experience with Game Buzzers

Me First: A Firsthand Experience with Game Buzzers

I asked Jonathan Winkler, a seventh grade history teacher in Newton, Massachusetts to test out a new Me First Buzzer System.  At my request, he gave it to me straight and shared his Game Buzzers experience—successes and challenges. To set the scene, understand that he introduced this snazzy new b... Read More
Tight lips at work? It’s time to UNZIP-it!

Tight lips at work? It’s time to UNZIP-it!

“I can’t talk about that at work.” “My boss wouldn’t want to hear what I have to say.” Employees have so many reasons for not talking about meaningful topics at work. Sometimes, they’re tight-lipped simply because giving feedback is difficult. In other cases... Read More
Want to improve class participation? Start by understanding your goal

Want to improve class participation? Start by understanding your goal

The more engaged students are in the learning process, the more they will absorb. While this makes intuitive sense, the assertion is also backed up by loads of brain research showing that when more areas of the brain are involved in an experience, the more memorable it becomes. So, to maximize learn... Read More
Pipe Cleaner Team Building Game

Pipe Cleaner Team Building Game

I just happened upon the Pipe Cleaner Team Building Game, a popular  STEM development challenge created by Dr. Laura Bottomley & Heather Smolensky, of NCSU.  I quickly read through the very clever facilitation notes, and thought the game would also be an excellent, low-cost team building activ... Read More
Why use Training Games?

Why use Training Games?

One recent LinkedIN discussion that drew a lot of interest asked “Why do we use Training Games?”  So many people liked and commented, that I wanted to synthesize the conversation and pull out the highlights. Whether you’re using games to improve communication and listening skills,... Read More
Discover which Thumball is best for YOU!

Discover which Thumball is best for YOU!

Not sure which Thumball is perfect for your needs? Take a moment to complete this quick quiz and get a handful of ideas about which discussion prompts will be best for your team and what your Thumball Style is! What’s a Thumball? It’s a soft ball imprinted with 32 discussion starters. Cr... Read More
Tackling Stress Management at Work

Tackling Stress Management at Work

Life before stress looks like unadulterated happiness — laughter, dancing, and ear-to-ear smiles. Life after stress looks like the parents in the image above, who are watching the kids at play. To the extent that happiness and productivity are linked, we need to do more about having Stress Man... Read More
Rose-Bud-Thorn for Processing and Reflection

Rose-Bud-Thorn for Processing and Reflection

You already know that learning requires an investment of time and mental focus. Listening to a lecture, reading a book, playing an experiential game, or watching a video can only get you so far. The real learning happens when you apply Thinking Methodologies to digest, discuss, and process the learn... Read More