2006 - Why I Learnt to Hate Icebreakers

Martin J. Cowling

Training Design from e-Volunteerism, Vol. VI, Issue 4, July-Sept 2006, 6 pages.

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People usually suggest an ice breaker because “we need to break up the atmosphere at the start of a meeting” or “people won’t know each other” or ”we always have an icebreaker to start off.”  Announce that you’re about to run an “ice breaker,” however, and watch the collective groan.

Martin Cowling discusses what the purpose of an icebreaker needs to be and how to apply adult learning principles from the start of training.

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