Table Groups Playing Games

Work in groups of 3-5 seated around tables or in online breakout rooms. Ask them to play a game you have prepared beforehand. Provide materials like cards, dice, sticky notes, coloured pens, flipcharts, etc. The game is designed to illuminate the concept you wish them to learn about.

Benefits and Pitfalls

• Games can be good for generating ‘aha!’ moments - that is, when a new idea seems suddenly obvious and useful.
• Small group discussions can lead to more and better insights than talking in a pair.
• Good for active review exercises where you are asking participants to discuss and categorize materials you’ve provided them with.
• Good for groups where not everyone is a programmer. You can mix up the perspectives and roles and expose people to new ideas from their peers.
• If not enough people come to your session, it can fall flat.
• One hour might not be enough for some simulations and games, and it can be difficult to split them across two or more days.