Ice breaker activities

Urban Orienteering The FdA Design for Sequencing and Illustration courses at Camberwell run a one week urban orienteering activity where students are put into groups to investigate London as a resource. They have to find the cheapest printers, graphic suppliers, galleries, museums etc. It is a good ice breaker team building activity and brings the group together quite quickly. On a small scale, this can be replicated within the college building to familiarise students with the various departments, student services and resources.

Object Everyone brings in an object which is meaningful to them. In small groups students present the object and explain what it is and its significance. This could be themed; you could ask students to bring in something that has inspired them to make a piece of work.

Ice breakers and Task-focused group work activities: London College of Communication (LCC) produces a staff and student Induction Handbook. It has some good suggestions for Ice Breaker activities and group based tasks (that feel more part of the course, which some students prefer). Both types are detailed below:

FdA Design for Graphic Communication Course design The first 4 weeks of the FdA Design for Graphic Communication course at LCC is structured to incorporate group based and tutor led activities (up to two and a half hours per week). This continues through terms 1 and 2 with term 3 made up of sign-up workshops.

A shared visual exercise that explores some central concept/idea of the course

SClay Ice Breakers Camberwell Inclusive Induction project Handbook 2008-9

In small groups, gathering visual or written information on a relevant topic either in the library or outside the building

A group visit to a museum, gallery or other relevant, interesting place leading to small group review of the exhibition/event

In small groups, interviewing staff about their research interests and/or experience as a practitioner

Induction Bingo Has lived in Has never the UK less watched Big than a year Brother Likes dancing Rides a bike

Has two brothers

Likes hip-hop Voted Labour

Has swum more than a mile Can write in a script other than European Has someone in their family who is a teacher

Has worked for a charity

Comes from another part of the UK

Has taken part in Karaoke

Can speak three languages

Voted in an election outside the UK Has worked in a caf or restaurant

Has never voted

Has two sisters

Likes soap operas

Has children

Wears contact lenses

Has Has a car Plays a sport Has their hair someone in regularly dyed their family who is a nurse or a doctor For more information about the LCC Induction Handbook please contact Celia Bishop (Head of Study Support) at LCC: c.bishop@lcc.arts.ac.uk

SClay Ice Breakers Camberwell Inclusive Induction project Handbook 2008-9