More Icebreakers

Creating a sense of community in a classroom can be a challenge. One of the time-honored means is to employ an icebreaker activity during the first meeting.

Fifteen icebreakers, some new, some refurbished, are offered by Business Training Works. Instructions on how to conduct the activity and materials needed are provided. Take a look by clicking here.

A special thanks goes to Beth Wickham for bringing the 15 to our attention.

Additional icebreaker ideas can be found by clicking on icebreakers in the Labels area on the right side of the screen. You may need to scroll to find it.

What I Learned My First Year Teaching Adults

It’s OK to Smile!
• Have some fun when you are teaching and students will have some fun learning.
• Treat people as human beings – not just a warm body or a number – they all have names.
• Arrive early. Arrange the room and set the tone – be prepared in case you have to hunt down a key to unlock the door.

Start On Time
• Start on time; end on time.
• People learn quickly when you start on time – they’ll arrive promptly for succeeding sessions.
• Stop on time and stick around a few minutes for those with additional questions.
• Door signs and maps help get students to class on time.
• Have a plan for what you teach and how you will teach it.
• Know your content so well that you can spend most of your time working on how you teach rather than on reading your notes.
• Be flexible, but stay on target with your main ideas and objectives.

Use Variety
• A variety of teaching strategies make your points more interesting.
• Don’t be afraid to try something new to grab student attention.

Apps, Jerold. “What I Learned My First Year Teaching.” Course Trends, Vol. 24, No. 6: p. 15.