Documentation:Learning Activities/Icebreakers

Introductory Exercise/ Icebreaker - Community Mapping

Students post to the class using the Google map application to introduce him/herself to the class and to provide some background information about his/herself which is related to the course content. · Intrinsic interest for students as they want to know something about the others in their class · Provides an interesting way for students to start to think about the course topic and to understand the background and interests of their fellow students. · It helps students learn about each other and their interests in a safe and entertaining way. · Students can be creative. · Uses new technologies which will be useful skill for the students to have in their personal and professional work as event coordinators.

1. The facilitator’s role is to: · Start the introduction with their own google map or example · Clarify the instructions regarding the aim and goal of the task. The students are provided with this link: How to create a "My Map" in Google Maps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TftFnot5uXw · Provide technical and instructional support to the learners as needed with google maps · Facilitate discussion as needed amongst the learners once the maps and introductory posted are completed · Provide alternative methods of delivery should the students not be able to use google maps (Hand drawn map which is faxed to the instructor and posted could be an alternative). The learners' role is to: · Learn how to use google map application · Provide a brief description about themselves · Provide a link to their map · Provide additional information about their community characteristic that they wish to share. In my course, the students are asked to create an event map of a key event in their community. They are then to write about the event’s core values, its appeal, its components, its venues and design, and potential for growth. This description helps to get the student start thinking about key concepts in the course (elicits prior knowledge).

2. The activity works well when: · There is some characteristic of their community or geographical area which is related to the course concepts which can be displayed using a map. The map works well as it provides a pictorial representation of the idea which is supplemented with a written explanation. · This type of computer expertise or learning of a google map application should fit your student profile. I am using this tool in a tourism context where the students will or should be used to using social media and computer apps. The activity might not succeed if students have trouble learning google maps and the links don’t work or there is insufficient buy in from the students.