Hi Rachelle and Faith,
Here goes! Looking forward to your thoughts and advice.
Context
Students are in several Yukon communities and by Winter term are used to the online learning tools of Moodle and Zoom.
The course is within a one-year certificate program. Prerequisite for the course is in Fall semester so most students will have at least a sense of each other; however some part-time students may be taking the certificate over two or more years, so may be joining the class “out of the blue” from the through-students’ perspective.
Purpose of activity
Opportunity for students to get to know each other more through exploring thoughts and feelings about public speaking. In the weeks after this activity, students will complete a Group Presentation Project that has them working in trios or quartets to create and present an oral presentation.
Instructor will also use observation from this activity to create groups for an upcoming Group Presentation Project, balancing the number of stronger and more distracted students in each.
Chosen Liberating Structure
Drawing Together, presented synchronously online through Zoom
Invitation
We’ll take the next 50 minutes to explore together some of our feelings, attitudes and experiences around public speaking. Please find some blank paper and writing materials (pen, pencil, markers). We’re going to draw together, using five simple symbols that anyone can doodle – there is no need to be an artist or to make things that look realistic or perfect, it’s a playful exercise!
I’ll draw the symbols right here on the whiteboard with my mouse, so you can see how easy it is. Then we’ll all try it together.
Space Arrangement & Materials
Breakout rooms in Zoom; pen/pencil and paper
I considered asking students to work with drawing tools in Word or whiteboard in Zoom. However, I think having individual drawing spaces/surfaces is best for this activity (whiteboard in Zoom is shared); and in Word, if students aren’t familiar with the drawing tools, that will be distracting, time-consuming and likely frustrating.
How Participation is Distributed
Everyone is included since the five symbols are easy for everyone to draw
All participants make their individual drawings simultaneously
Group Configuration
Start alone but in main room; then groups of three in breakout rooms; then whole group back in main room.
Sequencing & Time Allocation
50 - 555 min of 90 min session; there’s a bit of a time lag in entering/exiting breakout rooms and people need time to share drawings at end since they won’t be pinned up on a wall.
In Zoom meeting room, introduce symbols and practice drawing symbols: circle, rectangle, triangle, spiral, star person. Show each other variations – instructor also draws – laugh together. 5 min
Invite participants to combine the symbols to create the first draft of a story, working individually and without words, about “the journey” of working on a challenge or an innovation. 10 min.
Invite participants to create a second draft, in which they refine their story by dramatizing the size, placement, and color of the symbols. 10 min.
Divide participants into trios, in breakout rooms. Invite each to interpret the others’ drawings. Remind them that the person who has done the drawing does not speak. 10 min.
Back in main meeting room: Each person identifies, to the group, their own interpretation of what 2-3 elements are most significant and/or surprising to them. Instructor listens and asks group to reflect, as a whole, on what the drawings reveal together. 15-20 min.