20-30 Minutes
Learning Objective(s)
- Getting to know the group.
- Communicating without talking.
- Working towards common goals.
Instructions
- Ask the group to stand up.
- Explain to them that from now on they cannot speak or make noises. Silent communication has begun.
- Explain that you want them to form a line, and that they will order themselves in the order that you will assign them next.
- The first order that they will stand in, is from Tallest to Shortest.(This is usually easy, since they can see the difference in height)
- As the leader, you check that they have ordered themselves according to height and give praise if they managed to complete the task without talking.
- Now continue to ask the group to stand in the following orders:
- From Oldest to Youngest
- From Longest to Shortest hair (beware of this option if you have group members who cover their hair)
- According to birth-month, January to December
- Shoe size, from smallest to largest
- Your own option
As the group tries to communicate without talking, you will be able to see:
- Who takes on a leading role?
- Who is more passive and lets themselves be lead?
- Who tries to be creative using their body, hands etc?
- Who tries to use help such as writing, texting etc. (Is this allowed, it is up to you)
After the group has finished the communication exercise, give them time to reflect, first individually and then as a group.
- Was this easy or hard, why?
- What means of communication did you see in the group when talking was not allowed?
- What roles did you see the others take on in the group?
- What role did you yourself take on?
- Other reflections
Collecting and sharing student results
There will be a group discussion after the exercise, see number 4 in the instructions above.
The instructor can also take notes which can be used during individual talks with the participants later.
Reflection/self-assessment
- Did it go as planned?
- Was the exercise valuable in working with the specific soft skill?
- Did the participants understand the task?
- Does something need to be changed/explained until next time?
The exercise is to help the participants understand the importance of nonverbal communication. The ability to pick up on the things that are not spoken will help them understand the dynamic when entering a workplace or classroom. They will understand that it is important to observe their peers in order not to miss vital information on what is happening in their surroundings.
Instructions
- Ask the group to stand up.
- Explain to them that from now on they cannot speak or make noises. Silent communication has begun.
- Explain that you want them to form a line, and that they will order themselves in the order that you will assign them next.
- The first order that they will stand in, is from Tallest to Shortest.(This is usually easy, since they can see the difference in height)
- As the leader, you check that they have ordered themselves according to height and give praise if they managed to complete the task without talking.
- Now continue to ask the group to stand in the following orders:
- From Oldest to Youngest
- From Longest to Shortest hair (beware of this option if you have group members who cover their hair)
- According to birth-month, January to December
- Shoe size, from smallest to largest
- Your own option
As the group tries to communicate without talking, you will be able to see:
- Who takes on a leading role?
- Who is more passive and lets themselves be lead?
- Who tries to be creative using their body, hands etc?
- Who tries to use help such as writing, texting etc. (Is this allowed, it is up to you)
After the group has finished the communication exercise, give them time to reflect, first individually and then as a group.
- Was this easy or hard, why?
- What means of communication did you see in the group when talking was not allowed?
- What roles did you see the others take on in the group?
- What role did you yourself take on?
- Other reflections
Collecting and sharing student results
There will be a group discussion after the exercise, see number 4 in the instructions above.
The instructor can also take notes which can be used during individual talks with the participants later.
Reflection/self-assessment
- Did it go as planned?
- Was the exercise valuable in working with the specific soft skill?
- Did the participants understand the task?
- Does something need to be changed/explained until next time?
The exercise is to help the participants understand the importance of nonverbal communication. The ability to pick up on the things that are not spoken will help them understand the dynamic when entering a workplace or classroom. They will understand that it is important to observe their peers in order not to miss vital information on what is happening in their surroundings.
Assessment Methods
- Discussion in groups or individually with participants
Resources needed
- No resources needed.