Its easy to say borders shouldnt exist, but do borders have a purpose? Will any country ever accept me as one of their own? Is there a city or country you could see being together and starting a new life? Can you agree there are times having fear is a healthy emotion? What is the biggest challenge facing the next generation? Icebreaker Questions for couples are really about diving deep into a relationship between two people. Wed love to hear about them! What makes a culture better than another culture? The IDEA Team is here to support you. How do you deal with pressure from your boss, co-workers, or customers? Does the United States have the best form of government? Should schools change their schedules based upon the research that shows children will benefit? What is the best advice you were given but did not take? Why did many major world religions develop around the same time? How can you be self-compassionate without being self-biased?

Given a limited amount of time on Earth, what impact do you want to leave? Then the students in Groups 2-4 were required respond to a Group 1 members initial post. How can you be more yourself? How often during your week do you stop to look around in awe of natural beauty? Many Facilitators struggle with coming up with the best group discussion topics to inspire their participants to engage with one another. Is it ok to go to bed angry with each other? How do you feel about leaving your comfort zone? Students who were not assigned to present that week were required to respond to one or two classmates presentations to foster interaction and engagement with peers. What is Freedom, And How Can We Define It? On the thread's page, you can view the text of the post and information, such as the author and posted date. Scary movies, scary rides, haunted houses.what are the attractions? If all students had the ability to be this intentional in their initial Discussion Board posts, they would have time to consider the contributions of their classmates more thoughtfully and go back their classmates posts again when a second reading offers clarification and a deeper understanding of what their classmates said (p. 6). What area of your life do you need to find happiness? Should we respect all the opinions and ideas even if they are harmful? Would we be happier if we were living closer to nature? What do you try to see or do in a new place? What if in the future people have to pay for privacy? Would you be willing to try your hand at something new? But Ive had classes where they expect me to respond to up to seven classmates. In addition, Alternative 2 not only reiterates what students have read, but also gives the presenters an opportunity to help their classmates remember the key concepts and ideas of their assigned chapter(s) in creative ways. Have you ever made what you thought was a wrong choice, but it turned out to be the right choice? Here is a roundup of the best icebreaker questions for small groups that participants have submitted over the past year of discussions. Can you discuss freely ideas with family or friends? Contact the IDEA Line: 410-870-9663 (available Monday through Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm). Do you feel peer pressure when it comes to your appearance? What careers require some empathy in order to be successful? What items are important to possess to build a stable present and bright future? When do you think that a lie is a better option than honesty? In some classes, I am expected to respond to multiple discussion promptsandmultiple classmates for each prompt in the same week. I created a FREE icebreaker question cheat sheet and easy-to-clip question page so you can quickly use the information from this post at your next group. Is it okay for foreign, young people to be busking or begging for money in Southeast Asia? Do you find yourself comparing yourself to others? Type a name and optional instructions or a description. When does empathy interfere with your job? Your responses to X number of classmates should be X number of words and are due by (Insert day of the week) at 11:59 p.m. Click Create Forum to create a new discussion board. Change). To what degree should the government help people affected by a hurricane? If you want some great inspiration, check out. How do you blend in when you are trying to experience a new culture? In their posts, students supported their arguments with references and explained where they were wavering in their arguments, creating a natural feel with the back-and-forth post-and-response mechanics. Do victims sometimes support bad things to happen? In their posts, students summarized their discussions and shared their conclusions about whether to legalize the drug of choice. When you allow the individual participants to write their own group discussion question and then vote on which one to start with youll soon have an endless supply of great discussion topics that you can use anywhere.

Or is there such thing as work nirvana? What are your views on people who try to contrive, manipulate, and control circumstances in their environment but then try to evade the natural consequences that arise from it? Will artificial intelligence eventually become a God? As a woman, would you be willing to wear traditional Moslem clothing and withstand the restrictions on women while traveling in a Moslem country? How could education become more relevant? The biggest reason is because of the way we facilitate these conversations! How do you determine if someones successful in life? Theyre different than our standard icebreaker questions for small groups. Thats right, we let the users decide, if you want to our tried and test techniques for these discussions check out our courses here. Do you feel like there are double standards when it comes to rules for boys and girls? We will respond within 24 hours or the next business day if on weekends/holidays. What is your favorite question to ask a stranger? Would you consider a volunteering vacation? For this twist, ask students to post images along with their written responses in the discussion forum. On the main discussion board page, the description appears after the forum name. What about Monks? Can we still have a good life like our parents or grandparents? If youre looking for the very best icebreaker questions, what if questions, questions for small groups, group questions, and funny conversation topics look no further. What if you could be President for 1 week, what would you change? (2017). On the main discussion board page, the description appears after the forum name.

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|FAk0 ki0(tmt9[, Ideas for Discussion Forums (Dist Learning Project)-2.indd. How can you find truth in a post-fact or alternative-fact world? Is shutting down your brain by watching TV or doing something not productive that reduces your stress negative or positive? What do you think about your countrys education system? Have your friends been good or bad influencers in your life? What kind of effects are dire warnings about nationalism, global warming, terrorism, and more having on todays youth? The student needs to know enough about the subject matter to have a 30-minute discussion. Set the availability of the forum to No until you want the discussion to start. University of Maryland School of Social Work by UMB SSW IDEA Team is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Why do we care so much about being judged? Whats your most embarrassing favorite song? Thats okay, go straight to the Amazing Icebreaker Question Cheat Sheet (FREE DOWNLOAD). Is willpower a skill that can be learned and improved, or do you think individuals have natural limits? (LogOut/ How much responsibility should parents take for the education of their children? For example, students in an ecology course discussing the impact of climate change can adopt the roles of a CEO of an automobile manufacturer, an environmental research biologist, an EPA representative, a resident of Norfolk, Virginia, or a Mayor of Los Angeles. What figures into determining your future? Some students might have a hard time finding someone to talk to. The final alternative I want to offer includesFlipgrid, a program I had not heard of until my brother was required to use it for a Discussion Board activity in his online Instructional Design and eLearning graduate program. What are some circumstances that require you to hide your fear? If you could create one life, what would it be? Should philosophy be taught earlier in schoolto inspire children to question more? Learn how your comment data is processed. What is your favorite question to ask someone you just met? Think about ways you could get students to connect with community members or professionals in their field with this discussion. Group 1 was assigned a prompt. Do you have opinions that differ from your family? You can add a rubric to facilitate grading with various levels of criteria/achievement. What do you do to show respect for those who have passed away? For example, students can be asked to state which positions seemed to be the most popular initially and whether this changed during the discussion (and, if so, why).

What direction is modern society headed towards? What foreign languages do you think should be required by the high schools? 6. What if you only had 1 hour left to live? Where do you want to be five years from now? When you have to make a tough decision, do you make your decision based on what is right OR what feels right? I love helping people with their communication skills, but how do I get paid for my trainings? Ask students to write their role at the top of the post to remind everyone that students are just playing a role. How does knowing too much benefit or harm you? Please log in using one of these methods to post your comment: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. If you use a rubric (e) this should match your rubric grade total. When you go to "Needs Grading" you will see a collection of the posts and be able to grade them right there. Students tend not to observe the major shifts in a discussion when they are focused on addressing a particular topic, and this exercise can help them develop that ability. If you were mayor of your town, what would you do? The Forum is the topic of the discussion and the Thread is the student (and instructor) responses. How is it possible that in the US, Heroin deaths increased 533% since 2002?

It also helps amplify viewpoints that might not often be heard. In some cultures they wear black for 1 year when someone they love dies, do you think this is a good ritual? Will the future of humanity rely more on innovation, or more on mindfulness? It is possible to set up a graded discussion board as a means of tracking student attendance and/or to foster reflection for live class meetings. Things I Learned From Article Writing For Aristotles Caf, Constructive Conflict vs Destructive Conflict: Managing Conflict Effectively, Small Group Discussion Success: How to Super Engage Participants, The Aristotles Cafe Definitive Guide to Toastmasters Table Topics (2021). What is the best way to deal with these people? This is a great way to provide a lens through which to explore controversial or sensitive topics with three or more perspectives. Are there differences of opinions that impact your relationship? Are you comfortable with meeting new people? Flipgrid allows students to record their responses, both to the initial prompt as well as their replies to classmates in a video format, and then submit them in the Discussion Board. This discussion is in addition to readings and other course activities and projects, not to mention my full-time job and what little time I have left for a social life. Why do you think some people lie about things, even when its not needed? Students are assigned to particular viewpoints of a topic and then do some research to form and support their arguments. Select the Forum Settings based on your specific needs.

Not all questions for small groups are created equal. With so much turmoil now, will World War III bring peace? What would you do differently without fear? What do people need to know when they move to Thailand? Share this resource and write a comment to let me know the great icebreaker questions you have. Do you feel pressure to take a certain path in life? Is there a time period or era that appeals to you? Remember that students can also call or Skype someone if theyre unable to meet with someone in person. What elements of a culture do you look forward to when traveling? Can you think of places where people live in fear? 2. They also note that the Discussion Board can be one of the richest elements of an online class, offering a unique opportunity for students to be heard (p. 6). This kind of post can be powerful while also providing a safe place for students to explore an issue from a different perspective than their own. One example would be to ask students, at or near the end of class, to go to a graded discussion forum that was set up for this purpose, with instructions to answer a certain question, post a short reflection, ask a question, tell about the "stickiest point" from the class, etc. Consider searching this site (magnifying glass icon in the top right-hand corner) to see if you can find a solution. Anger, jealousy, hate. Why do people have so much trouble accepting differences? What has been your most embarrassing moment? Each Group 1 member individually responded to their weeks prompt. Online instructor Todd Wilkinson agrees, saying, Debating with other students provides extra motivation to make good arguments and present oneself well, which are both important in this type of work.. Is an example of a group question that will stop anyone from answering and puts people on the defensive. (2020). He asked them to incorporate learning resources from the lesson to support their arguments. Is it true that an educated person less judgemental? Are you a good person? Do you think you are these days? What is your thought on keeping work life and personal life separate? How much money does a person need to survive from birth to death? What do you think of opening a business with passion but without market research? Do you find yourself restricted to what society expects of you? While there is nothing wrong with the tried and true text-only Discussion Board activities, too much discussion in this format can either result in an I like bread. Are farming techniques of the past better than modern techniques? When that happens you can bet that emotions will run high. Whens the last time you had a casual conversation with someone about politics. Questions are the beginning of a path towards understanding. The secret to great icebreaker questions. Ann is pursuing her PhD in Communication through Regent University and also teaches speech online at Olivet Nazarene University. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Can you support your partner in spite of family pressure? Blackboard: Journal, Blog, Wiki, or Discussion Forum? If you have a topic where students can choose a viewpoint or a side, a debate is likely a better choice than a traditional discussion. When do you put the responsibility on the person? What is the difference between augmented reality and personal perspective? Do you think the arts should be supported? Globalization is inevitable how can we make sure people who dont want to participate can preserve their culture? If youve been around higher education for very long as a professor, instructional designer, or student, you know theres one activity you can never seem to get away from in an online course: Discussion Boards. These questions can be asked in a variety of different situations. What would be disrespectful in one culture but okay in another?

If Im being honest, I would prefer to intentionally respond to one initial discussion prompt with around 350-500 words and then intentionally respond to two or three classmates with 250-300 words. How can I be myself in a world full of excessive consumerism? Do you think art has an important place in our schools? From your childhood, are there experiences that stand out? These questions are POLARIZING, meaning there is normally very little grey are when it comes to peoples opinions. How have you gained dignity following a crisis? They are either strongly for or against something. Instructor Rachel Portinga commented that, Students are asked to discuss information with another person, who may not understand the [content] as well, and that could lead to the student teaching someone else, and therefore reinforcing the information they have learned.. Each of the three alternatives leans more toward a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach, as they provide students with more options and opportunities for more original, creative, in-depth discussion. What are the important choices you have had to make in your life? followed by a written reflection. Can community-based, grassroots movements take place with no funding and money involved? (We also have an article devoted to deep questions about life if you want even more of these). Do you feel you can become whatever you want in your life? Is it natural to be happy then sad in your career? What is the longest trip you would be willing to take if you had the time and money?

Does your success depend on if you have a degree from a university ? Are there any adults that you respect and confide in? Whats important to know before you choose your destination? Students post their viewpoint supported by research, wait for a response from a peer with a different viewpoint, and then reply with a rebuttal. Do you favor certain colors in a painting? Do you think your government is empathetic towards citizens? What if you woke up as your favorite celebrity? How important is it for you to be able to define yourself? Do you think your past determines your present or future? Can everyone choose one thing in your room that you would like to share that represents something about you? How do you change from no one to be someone and from someone to be the only one? At the beginning of the semester, students signed up to present on a chapter (or chapters) from the book and then posted a video presentation about the chapter(s) for their initial post during the week the chapter(s) was assigned. Do you think males more than females are required to act fearless? Also, just in case it wasnt obvious any of the questions throughout this entire article would be great icebreaker questions to ask a girl. As a special note, we actually asked a girl to write these. Then, after posting to the discussion board, students review the perspectives of their peers and write a reflection, based upon information from all roles and reflections, Students put themselves in another persons shoes for a while. Do you think that to give with an intention is equal to giving with no intention? Do you think regrets can be a good thing? Are you confident when you walk into a room? (LogOut/ Students get to reflect on the discussion itself, which can be very enlightening and might even make them see discussions in a new way in the future. Do you have any creative, alternative ways youve used the Discussion Board in your course? What is depression and why does it exist? What is it that makes you a good or bad person? What factors are involved in your trip destination? Center for Teaching & Learning. For instance, students in an accounting. What are some examples of justified violence that you can accept?

Control Panel > Course Tools > Discussion Board > Create Forum. How can I best help someone who is battling with depression? Why should there be fear for whats around the corner? Are there any males in your life that make you feel safe? Are you able to hold your own in a discussion? How can we revolutionize education for the 21st century and beyond? What is something youve always wanted to do but havent got around to doing? No thanks, I don't want a super easy printable handout, All of the icebreaker questions here can be used for virtual icebreakers or online meetings, but here. Is it okay for a museum to have a controversial art exhibit? Whats wrong with not changing and staying the same? What benefits are there to reliving the past? They wont do any good if only kept to yourself. Does your family have certain expectations of you? So mixing it up a bit with a little silliness is sometimes called for. What does it mean to be yourself? Make it graded - and tell how many points it is worth. Are there people who control others by fear?

Not every group question is appropriate for an icebreaker question. Of course, choose the situation and timing be careful what you ask your boss, mother-in-law, or professor. What positive characteristics do you carry that will see you through successfully in the future? These are great icebreaker questions, which include funny conversation topics, perfect group questions, and if you really want to reveal someones creativity, offer up a what if icebreaker question.. Should people try to be non-judgemental or should we judge others on their actions and thoughts? How early would job shadowing be beneficial in the school system? What is your favorite way to connect online? Are we living in a disguised dictatorship? Are there negative characteristics that could hinder your future? Have you ever felt there were too many choices? How do you deal with it? What drives you crazy (about a friend, colleague, or family member)? Where would you jump at the chance to visit? The University of Oregon Teaching Effectiveness Program (2017) asserts that Discussion Board activities should teach students how to listen to others, how to paraphrase, and how to involve other members of the group (p. 4). The grade settings appear on the Create Forum and the Edit Forum pages. In Chriss course, she asked half the class to respond to a traditional discussion question and asked the other half to observe the ongoing discussion and write a response paper including one fact learned, one surprising thing learned, their most salient takeaway, one thing they learned about themselves, and an area they might like to explore in more depth. Unlike the face-to-face classroom, students dont need to raise their hands and wait to be called on when participating in the Discussion Board (p. 6). What advice would you give your past-self for your present or future? course can debate the ethics of a particular case. Amazing Icebreaker Question Cheat Sheet (FREE DOWNLOAD), Icebreaker Questions on Past, Present, and Future, Icebreaker Questions on Personal Development and Mindfulness, Questions for Small Groups on Government or Politics, Questions for Small Groups on Good and Bad, Questions for Small Groups on Love and Relationships, Topics to Talk About 15 Experts Reveal Their Favorite Conversation Starters, Toastmasters Table Topics: The Definitive Guide. Unlike traditional, text-only Discussion Board assignments, this option provides a more personal approach because it allows students to see and hear their classmates. How do you motivate yourself? From the left navigation panel, in the Communication group, select Discussion Board. This page will step you through the process of creating a discussion board in Blackboard. Is home a safe place for you to ask questions? In one case, the instructor read an intense and very affecting post about how her students sister died in a car accident recently only to realize the student was being creative and playing a role instead of actually living through that particular trauma. What do you think is the disadvantage of having too much empathy? Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Creating Accessible Learning Materials MicrosoftWord, Creating Accessible Learning Materials MicrosoftPowerPoint, View ModelElearnings profile on Facebook, View modelelearnings profile on Pinterest, View Model eLearnings profile on YouTube, Generating and facilitating engaging and effective online discussions, View all posts by Ann Broda, Instructional Designer, A Learner-Centered Focus: Reflecting on 2021 Model eLearning, Creating Accessible Learning Materials MicrosoftExcel, Curating an Instructional Content Collection for Teaching andLearning, Why Storytelling Matters in Teaching and InstructionalDesign. It can also encourage students to step back to analyze the flow of the discussion. When immigrants move to a new country should they keep their culture, adapt to the new culture, or should the country change? What if you could live anywhere on the planet? How far can excuses like trauma and psychological issues go? What should you do when your partner is completely opposite? Instructor Rachel Portinga commented, In general, students appear to be more engaged when you ask them to change their format (and to see an issue from someone elses perspective)., In Rachels course, she asks students to consider vaccinations from the role assigned to them (.

Want to skip the article? Make sure to pay special attention to body language and be prepared to be a calming force if you want the discussion to continue. Depending on how you like to learn, we have provided a Video tutorial, Quick Steps or Detailed Step-by-Step instructions. Peoples attention spans are shorter now how can we catch them? Would you rather be raised by wolfs until the age of 18 or thrown into a pack of coyotes at age 35? What are your thoughts on shifting from a reactive mindset to a more proactive mindset? View all posts by Ann Broda, Instructional Designer. Do you find a painting changes as you step forward or backward to view it?

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