Overview
This introductory module introduces some of the building blocks that we can use to create interactive engagement.
Learning Objectives
In this session you will learn:
- why you would use tools and approaches
- how you can use specific tools and approaches
- 7 tools and approaches that you can apply yourself
Short Description
“They may forget what you said, but they will not forget how you made them feel.” In this video, we will explore why you would use tools and approaches, we look at how to apply them and we will introduce you to seven tools and approaches.
Key resources:
Part of building out your facilitator’s tool kit is assembling your list of favourite sites and sources for games and activities. Whether in print or online, below you will find some sources.
1. Climate Centre website
“Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein
Games are a fun but serious way of helping humanity tackle the complexities, volatilities and uncertainties that could be hallmarks of the “new normal” for the global climate. The Climate Centre offers an array of games, an abundance of research materials and other useful resources.
We recommend: Paying for Predictions”, where players become humanitarian workers, who are facing changing risks, and ”Ready!”, to explore localised disaster preparedness plans.
2. Liberating Structures
This website offers an alternative way to approach and design how people work together. It provides a menu of thirty-three Liberating Structures to replace or complement conventional practices. We recommend: “1, 2, 4, all”, to engage everyone simultaneously in generating questions, ideas and suggestions, and “Open Space Technology”, which allows people to self-organise in a structured way.
3. Thiagi website
The website for the Thiagi Group is a great resource. Their game archive is particularly useful because they offer detailed descriptions of the game including Purpose, Supplies, Time, Participants, Flow, and a description of what sometimes happens during Play.
We recommend: “Thirty-five for debriefing”, and “Whispers”, both effective debriefing games with very different mechanics.
Additional resources:
1. Session Lab library of facilitation techniques
With the free version of Session Lab, you can create, share and organise your workshop or training content and access dozens of free templates and a library of activities.
2. 58½ Ways to improvise in training (Paid resource)
Whether you are running a training session, workshop or a team meeting, Paul Jackson’s varied collection of games and activities will help you create an environment of improvisation and experimentation, of imagination and energy, and of laughter and commitment. What better way to engage everyone in the process of learning?
3. Playmeo Activities
Chock full of activities, videos, books, props, and other tools, Playmeo is a great resource for facilitators.
