Activity-Based Learning with Mike and Ken

2B or Knot 2B:

info@mikeandken.com (info@mikeandken.com) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:03:00 +0000

Low prop problem solving activity from the book: Teambuilding Puzzles
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DIRECTIONS
(Taken directly from Teambuilding Puzzles) 2B or Knot 2B, shows an arrangement of four colorful pieces of rope or webbing that have been joined together by a fifth piece. This puzzle is presented in such a manner that it is not immediately obvious which rope is the one holding the other four together. The challenge for the group is to discover which rope is holding the other ropes together, and to achieve consensus on this selection, before touching any of the ropes.

APPLICATION
In addition to the visual problem solving skills required to successfully complete each of these activities, the highlight is often exploring the tools required to achieve consensus within a group. Pairing and sharing is a very powerful technique for ‘building consensus.’ So is the concept of pairing with a partner that doesn’t necessarily agree with you at the outset. Finally, the concept of making a decision and then being allowed to alter it when new information becomes available has been well received in corporate settings in relation to topics such as personal accountability and decision management.

Variations
In addition to the multi-colored version of 2B or Knot 2B shown in the figure above, these five ropes can also be constructed with striped ropes (for a greater degree of visual difficulty), or five ropes that are all the same color. The size of this activity can also be varied by making each rope much longer, say 100 feet (30 meters) in length, or much smaller, such as the size that would fit on a microscope slide. While a collection of five ropes is optimal for most groups, four ropes can be used for simplicity, and a greater number of ropes, 6 to 8, for a higher degree of
difficulty.

ACTIVITY CREDIT
Activities in the game world can be hard to tack as they get passed from one trainer to the next and adapted to meet various needs. We make every effort to post who we learned it from. The text and game come directly from Teambuilding Puzzles by Mike Anderson, Chris Cavert, Jim Cain & Tom Heck.

SUPPLIES
2B or Knot 2B requires five different colors of rope or tubular climbing webbing. Each rope segment should be about 10 feet (3 meters) in length.

SHOW MUSIC
Thanks to Matt and all the guys from Megaphone for the use of their music for the podcast.
Vist them at: web site | itunes | myspace| virb

Traffic Circle

info@mikeandken.com (info@mikeandken.com) — Tue, 01 May 2007 01:37:00 +0000

low prop problem solving activity great for groups of all sizes.
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DIRECTIONS
Place a small circle (we used a raccoon circle) on the floor in the middle of the group. Standing around the outside of the circle, the simple task requires each player with their opposite partner to simply exchange places by passing through the Traffic Circle at the same time without touching one another. At least one body from each person part (hand, foot, finger, nose, etc) must touch the floor inside the traffic circle to be considered a pass through. The goal is for the entire group to pass through the traffic circle in the shortest amount of time.

APPLICATION
In the video the activity was used as part of a presentation on the Five Dysfunctions of a Team based on the book by Patrick M. Lencioni. You can get a download of the entire workshop handout at Mike Anderson's site in the download section. This activity is great for encouraging collaboration, the sharing of ideas, efficiency and time management. Additionally, as ideas are suggested and shared what sorts of conversations result from the different interpretations of the "rules?"

ACTIVITY CREDIT
Activities in the game world can be hard to tack as they get passed from one trainer to the next and adapted to meet various needs. We make every effort to post who we learned it from. This
activity is credited to Bill Michaelis but the version shared here is from by Dr.'s Smith and Cain.

SUPPLIES
A hula hoop, raccoon circle or anything that can make a circle on the floor approximately 2' in diameter. A raccoon circle or similar object is perhaps the most useful as the size of the circle can be adjusted and modified as necessary to challenge the group.

SHOW MUSIC
Thanks to Matt and all the guys from Megaphone for the use of their music for the podcast.
Vist them at: web site | itunes | myspace| virb

As If

info@mikeandken.com (info@mikeandken.com) — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 07:39:00 +0000

Ice breaker and community building activity credited to Steve "The Aussie" via Chris Cavert.
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DIRECTIONS
Get people in partners and have them great one another "AS IF" they are: best friends from high school, meeting their potential employer for the first time, roommate from freshman year of college, he/she does not speak English, etc.

APPLICATION
In the video the activity was used as part of a presentation on the Five Dysfunctions of a Team based on the book by Patrick M. Lencioni. You can get a download of the entire workshop handout at Mike Anderson's site in the download section.

ACTIVITY CREDIT
Activities in the game world can be hard to tack as they get passed from one trainer to the next and adapted to meet various needs. We make every effort to post who we learned it from. This activity is credited to Steve "The Aussie" via Chris Cavert FunDoing.com. Chris as a lot of great stuff on his web site.

SUPPLIES
no supplies needed - just people

SHOW MUSIC
Thanks to Matt and all the guys from Megaphone for the use of their music for the podcast.
Vist them at: web site | itunes | myspace

Pizza Toss

info@mikeandken.com (info@mikeandken.com) — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 21:06:00 +0000

Team building activity with raccoon circles credited to Jim Cain
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DIRECTIONS
Tossing the Pizza – use a circle with 4-7 people – toss the circle in the air and catch your pizza. Spin, catch, clap, etc. Now the groups have to work together and figure out how to switch “pizza’s.” You have been part of a smaller group but you are part of a larger group. Everyone needs to catch and throw as a larger group. This starts simple and builds complexity. It can be hard when one group is better than another to have to now pull together as one large group.

APPLICATIONS
We have to understand the process and communicate effectively. working in subgroups and passing things on happens often in organizations. How does that work in your organization? What works? What doesn't?

ACTIVITY CREDIT
Activities in the game world can be hard to tack as they get passed from one trainer to the next and adapted to meet various needs. We make every effort to post who we learned it from. This activity is credited to Jim Cain, Teamwork & Teamplay.

SUPPLIES
Raccoon Circles are made from 15 feet of 1" Tubular Webbing - found at stores like REI for about $.35 a foot. You can also purchase raccoon circles from Training-Wheels. Read more about games with raccoon circles.

SHOW MUSIC
Thanks to Matt and all the guys from Megaphone for the use of their music for the podcast.
Vist them at: web site | itunes | myspace