Types of Icebreakers

Below is a list of the various types of icebreakers one could opt to use.

1. Simple games
   2. Solving a puzzle or conundrum
   3. Responding to questions. Questions can be silly, fun, serious, reflective, and experiential.
   4. Sharing experiences
   5. Creating visuals (collage of one’s life) and posting
   6. Posting blogs
   7. Personal Introductions (Getting to Know You – Video – Audio)

The best icebreakers are those that create the social atmosphere experienced in face-to-face courses; allowing students to gain images of their colleagues and perhaps listen to their voice. My personal favorites are technologies not used by most for day-to-day for activities; video and audio clips.

Consider your technologies -

            Icebreakers can be introduced through a variety of methods. You can create your game or quiz via several online sites like surveymonkey.com. You can share the results or other experiences via a blog or discussion board through http://chronicle.com/forums/, http://edublogs.org/ or perform a search according to your subject area. Posting photos or an online audio introduction is another example of using technologies. Odeo, Jing or Eyejot are good examples of sites or technologies to record an introduction. Providing a photo as well as voice recording helps to bring familiarity to your new relationship. Successful technologies include

• Discussion board
• Social Networking sites; like Facebook
• Chat room
• Blogspot
• Personal webpage
• PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word
• Graphics/audio files/video clips
• Odeo/Audacity
• Webcam
• Elluminuate
• Digital camera
• Microphone
• Speakers

Facebook is new to the elearning community, and as (Bogg, 2007) one student reports, "Facebook is the most convenient and respectable way to feel connected to students, get updated on new trends, and build group relationships and express identities."