ICEBREAKERS

Engr. ANNA PAMELA G. NOVA

Agricultural Technologist
Office of the Provincial Agriculturist
Cavite
Learning Objective:

 To define and
understand
icebreaker.
What is icebreaker?
From wikepedia, the free encyclopedia, an
icebreaker is a facilitation exercise
intended to help a group to begin the
process of forming themselves into a
team.

Icebreakers are commonly presented as a game

to “warm up” the group by helping the members
to get to know each other.
Why icebreakers?
 Icebreakers can play an important
role in helping people integrate and
connect with one another in a group
environment.
 Icebreakers can also enhance your
teaching by helping to stimulate
cooperation and participation.
Icebreakers provide posivite
momentum by:
 Helping a new group get to know one
another
 Helping a new members to integrate
into a group
 Encouraging cooperation
 Encouraging listening to others
 Encouraging working together
 Developing social skills
 Creating a good atmosphere for
learning and participation
What makes a good
icebreaker, and what makes a
stinker?
You have probably witnessed some horrible
icebreakers. The reasons they are horrible
could be:

a. They are totally irrelevant to the

presentation.
b. They aren’t funny, or witty, or even
interesting.
c. You have seen or heard it before.
d. You and the rest of the audience are in some
way implicated, and/or embarrassed.
Icebreakers and you…
 Be enthusiastic, whatever
happens, be enthusiastic!
 Choose volunteers carefully and
don’t cause embarrassment.
 If something is not working
move quickly on to the next
activity.
 Timing is important.
 Choose icebreakers appropriate
for your age group.
Before you craft the world’s
best icebreaker, keep in
mind:
 Forget about the element
of surprise. Test your
icebreaker on as many
people similar to the
audience as you can, thus
limiting the chance of it
working against you.
 Don’t be limited to “fun”. Many
people think of icebreakers as
something to amuse or entertain.
They can be, but they don’t have
to stop there. They can be
thought provoking, emotionally
charged or simply interesting.
Icebreakers can include
quotes, a story, a question, a
competition, audience
interaction, and even silence.
The golden rule:
If there’s even the slightest chance
that your icebreaker won’t work, or
will be misunderstood, or will be
potentially offensive, then please
don’t do it.
Conclusion
References:

 http://www.naturaltraining.com/blog/2006/
10/16/omp_24/
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icebreaker_(fa
cilitation)
 http://www.insight.typepad.co.uk
Have a nice day!!!

APGN