Crowd Words
Training Wheels Gear
by Matthew Broda and Trevor Dunlap
Many times, it is the simplest of ideas that can have the most profound impact. In this book, the authors focus on an experiential methodology that strips away the trappings of equipment/material heavy facilitation and focus instead on a single element that can be utilized across a wide range of use groups. Using a simple 'alphabet deck' facilitators will be able to utilize scaffolded progression of activities designed to foster deep collaboration and experiential engagement - and have a ton of fun at the same time!
Intended Use
In its simplest form, CrowdWords© can be used as a collection of fun and engaging activities to build out any number of programmatic objectives. To assist in your selection of the “right” activity for your participants, we have organized all 26 experiences into four core interactions: introduce, cooperate,collaborate, and reflect. Here is a quick primer on what we mean for each of these designations:
- Introduce (I) - This activity genre is used to welcome, warm-up, or begin to mingle a newgroup. These exercises generally have limited (emotional) risk and are designed to be to prime participants for the day’s interactions. Activities classified as Introduce are great for “fun-building”, providing an interactive segue between elements, or used as a front loading strategy.
- Cooperate (CP) - This activity genre is used to stretch a group’s relatability skills. Activities are designed to challenge the team to move from a surface level into a more structured challenge/experience and require participants to take more risk and play to their individual strengths within a group setting.
- Collaborate (CL) - This activity genre is used to take a deeper dive into team engagement.These exercises are designed to be more challenging and robust and will require more advanced communication and trust as they work toward innovative solutions.
- Reflect (R) - This activity genre is used to provide the tools and space for participants to make connections and transfer new understanding from the day’s experiences and interactions into future situations.
Types of Games Included in the book:
Icebreakers
Energizers
Creative Problem Solving Activities
Literacy Activities
Debriefing Activities