Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Topics:
Program of Study:
Communication
Team-building
Materials/Resources:
Introduction:
Students will learn the importance of clear communication as they pair up back-to-back and
attempt to re-create a drawing with only limited verbal instructions. This activity teaches effective
communications skills. It emphasizes the importance of giving clear instructions when presenting
your ideas. Whether giving instructions to a teammate, presenting your student council election
speech, or demonstrating on a poster assignment what you have learned, effective communication
skills are important.
Activities:
Define communication - Ask students to think of one word that comes to mind when they think of
communication. Have students share these words with the class.
Back to Back Communication activity and accompanying discussion questions (see attachment)
Wrap-up/Reflection:
Why are the pictures different, when everyone heard the same message?
Were there problems with both the sending and receiving parts of the communication
process?
Directions:
1. Switch roles. Now the listener is allowed to ask questions and ask for clarification from
the person holding the diagram .
2. After 2 minutes call the activity to a stop and ask each pair to compare the outcome and how
close the listeners drawing is to the original diagram
Debrief:
How was it different when the person drawing could ask questions from when he/she
could not?
Once you could ask questions, did that make the job easier? Why?
Why are the pictures different, when everyone heard the same message?
Did you discover any problems with the sending or receiving parts of communication and
how did you overcome this?
Have you experienced a situation where bad communication was an issue? What
happened? How could have more direct communication have helped?
Stress the importance of asking questions to confirm understanding and ensure the accuracy
of communication
Point out the importance of two way communication, which is highlighted by this simple
exercise.
Images to Draw
PEER FEEDBACK