Toolbox, Object, or Miniature Metaphor Charms for Introductions and a “Hook to Engage” or “First Five/Pre-Group Activity”
Purpose/Focus: active engagement, hook, context setting, discussion or writing prompt, “first five” or “do now,” welcoming ritual, conversation starter, reflection, communi
Draw Your School or Workplace
It’s that time of year again! Schools, and colleges are kicking off their programs with community building and goal setting sessions. Draw Your School or Workplace is a strat
Using Metaphor to Build Community and Positive Climate – Postcard Strengths Activity
This post was originally published in March of 2013. As the school year comes to a close I have been using this technique quite a bit with great success. I am posting this article
The Brain, Learning, and Reflection
A century ago, John Dewey emphasized the importance of engaging learners in reflection. He believed that our experiences shape us, and when reflective practice is part of the learn
The Value of Reflection
Reflection brings learning to life. Reflective practice helps learners find relevancy and meaning in a lesson and make connections between educational experiences and real life sit
The Power of Using Objects, Pictures, and Other Metaphoric Methods in Teaching and Group Facilitation
My summer travels forced me to take a break from the blog. Today I’m inspired to write again after reading Adam Clark’s comment on my June post about “Making the Most of Tran
Making the Most of Transitions: Celebrating the End of the School Year and New Beginnings
Here in New England schools are wrapping up for the year. Over the past few weeks I have been working with a number of local schools to facilitate transition activities such as “
Using Metaphor to Reflect Upon the Strengths of Group Members
As discussed in the February 2013 article, using postcards, image cards and objects are powerful ways to spark introductory conversations and initiate meaningful individual and gro
Trade and Share: An Active Reflection and Dialogue Activity to Get Participants Moving, Talking, Reflecting and Keep Them Engaged
Over the last couple of years I’ve posted about a number of twists on activities traditionally used as icebreakers that I re-purpose as active, social approaches to reflection, p
Engage Learners From the Moment They Walk in the Door
Think back to your most memorable learning experiences, the courses you enjoyed, and the teachers you found effective. How did they start off their classes or workshop sessions? Ho
School’s Out for Summer! Celebrating Successes and New Beginnings:
In this Inspired Educator Blog post Jen Stanchfield shares her experiences using reflective activities to help schools celebrate the successes of the year and summer programs start
Activities to Get Them Moving, Talking, Reflecting, and Keep Them Engaged
Recent research from cognitive neuroscientists validates the idea that educators will increase participant attention, motivation, and learning outcomes when they intentionally weav
An Exciting Month On the Road and Thoughts On the Words We Use in Experiential Education
This experience of facilitating through an interpreter stimulated reflection upon the words I choose to describe concepts in experiential education. When presenting with an interpr
Resolutions, Reminders, Commitments: Reflective Activities to Help Your Groups Ring in the New Year
Jen Stanchfield offers a number of reflective activities to help your group's or students reflect on the New Year: Quotes, Keyboard Keys, Postcards
The Reflective Educator Part Two: Meaningful Self-Reflection and Record Keeping to Improve Your Practice
In this blog post Jennifer Stanchfield explores the importance of prioritizing time for self reflection to improve your practice as an teacher, trainer, counselor or group facilita
Upcycled Computer Key Board Keys: A Fun Idea for Bookending a Learning Experience with Strong Beginnings and Endings
My last two posts have focused on methods for positively influencing learning outcomes with groups through strong beginnings. I shared some of my favorite activities for starting o
Reflective Practice Versus Debriefing
Promoting new ways to engage groups in reflective practice has been a personal passion and focus of my work as an educator. From the beginning of my career as an education and clin
