SLIDE 4 Ideas for Engaging Breakout Sessions
This list is not all inclusive. These are suggested strategies, but other ideas are welcome.
Strategy Definition and Example
Individual Participation
Online Engagement Participants use digital response tools. Options include, but are not limited to, Poll Everywhere, Twitter, Polldaddy, and Google Forms. Example: The facilitator engages the audience by asking members to respond to various poll questions throughout the workshop. Guided Teaching The facilitator uses scaffolding to guide participants through the material using their own knowledge and the information in the presentation. Example: The facilitator distributes a participant guide. Participants answer questions in the guide in the context of their own experiences to build understanding of the topic. Panel discussion Panelists discuss best practices, share ideas, and answer questions related to a specific topic. Example: Audience members pose questions to the panelists.
Partner Participation
Turn and Talk/Pair Share Participants turn to a partner and share questions, reactions, and ideas. Example: At various points in the workshop, the facilitator asks participants to discuss with a partner sitting in close proximity. Pairs may share ideas or questions with the larger group as the facilitator reengages the entire audience. Connections Participants make connections by meeting individuals and sharing ideas, discussing a topic, or answering questions. Each participant should make connections with two or three other participants. Example: At the start of the session, participants take turns sharing one thing they know about the topic and one thing they would like to
- learn. At the end of the session, participants repeat the exercise sharing one thing they learned and one way it will impact their work.
Ten Two Strategy The facilitator presents for ten minutes. The participants have two minutes to discuss the information presented in pairs or small groups. Example: The facilitator presents a case study for ten minutes. In small groups participants evaluate the study. Partners or small groups may share with the entire workshop, or the presenter may continue to deliver ten more minutes of instruction.
Group Participation
Walkabout/Four Corners Participants move to different parts of the room in groups to answer a question or share knowledge. Example: The facilitator posts each of the four strategies discussed in the workshop on chart paper around the room. At the end of the presentation, groups move to different places in the room to discuss the strategy listed at their location. Participants may add examples to the lists or pose questions to other groups. Each group should rotate to each location. 3 - 2 - 1 Format The facilitator explains the strategy at the beginning of the presentation and asks each participant to take notes using the 3-2-1 strategy. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants share their notes in small groups. The items listed on the 3, 2, 1 may change. 3 – new concepts or ideas 2 - ways to implement the ideas 1 - question that remains Example: The facilitator presents best practices, and each participant takes notes of: 3 – new ideas 2 – ways one or more ideas might work in their school(s) 1 – question about implementation Buzz sessions Small groups work together to discuss an idea, share strategies, or solve a problem. The facilitator asks each group to share with the entire audience. Example: The facilitator asks each group to consider a different problem. Groups discuss possible solutions for a set amount of time. Each group takes a turn presenting its problem and two possible solutions that implement best practices to the entire audience.
