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Rules
Of The Game
Rule
#1- Make
It Relevant
Relate
the
game directly to the topic and
learning objectives. "Ice-Breakers" and "Eye-Openers," where people
throw objects around the room or chat about hobbies, often violate
this rule.
Participants feel justifiably manipulated by such artificial
devices.
Rule
#2- Limit
The Objectives
Demonstrating too many principles or
developing too much nuance leads to overly long and complex games.
It
is usually better to make a 3-4 points well than many points
superficially. One
way around this is to divide the game (or exercise)
into a series of related games with other instructional methods
interspersed.
Rule
#3- Keep
It Short
In
general, adult learners need a change of pace 30
minutes or so. A
few of our more involved games run to 90 minutes but this is the
absolute maximum.
Rule
#4- Keep It
Simple
Complex
games frustrate participants. The setup takes too long
and most people forget some rules and parameters. The result is false starts,
confusion, and polluted data. Rule
#5- Debrief
Effectively
Participants
should translate their experience into
principles with only general guidance from the
instructor who asks
leading questions without divulging answers. This
is the most important part of the game-- the whole point of
it! |
