Let’s Have Fun with Games! Dr. Leslie Mathew, MD, MS, MBA, FACHE Chair, HCM Programs, Franklin University GAMIFICATION

Objectives Understand how learning can include the use of humor and games Explore different types of games Identify methods to elicit participant buy-in Understand humor principles in adult learning Develop your own games

Let’s Have Some Fun!

The Principles of Adult Learning We learn to do by doing. We have five senses. We learn when we are ready to learn. We make connections. We learn one thing at a time. We learn more rapidly when results are satisfying to us. We need to understand what we learn. We develop skill through practice. We differ from one another in abilities and background.

Let’s Have Some Fun! What value can games offer to a learning environment? al_gaming_can_make_a_better_world. htmlhttp:// al_gaming_can_make_a_better_world. html

Top Game Tips It’s in the delivery - Don’t select activities that would annoy you if you were a participant. Adjust the length and type of game to suit the length of the session. Know your audience. Adjust games for the seriousness of the topic. People who know each other very well will find some exercises redundant.

Player Buy-In! 1.State Objectives 2.Rules a)Respect for others b)Have fun c)What takes place in the workshop stays in the workshop 3.Preparation

Choosing the Right Game Game Icebreakers Energizer Simulations Brain teasers Role Plays Case Studies

Choosing the Right Game What are your responsibilities as a facilitator? What pitfalls do you need to be aware of when using games? How can debriefing help the group? What kind of games would you plan to use for reluctant participants? Why? What kind of games would you plan to use for people who do not like playing games? Why? How do you coerce people who refuse to play or interact with the group?

Quick and Easy Games The games must illustrate, illuminate, or somehow relate to the learning objectives. The games have to be considerate of the participants’ needs as well as ability levels. Knowing your audience, their needs, and the setup of your physical space can help you avoid disasters!

Learning Games

Get-To-Know-You Categories –Fun, interactive get-to-know activity for medium to large groups (min 15) –Useful for celebrating diversity –Particularly useful as an icebreaker –Ask everyone to stand up and then to walk around; explain that you will announce a category and that participants should then quickly organize themselves into smaller groups, based on the category to which they belong. –Once everyone is organized into their groups, ask each group to identify itself. –(Optional) Make a brief comment or ask each group a question. –Allow participants time to say hello and mingle/chat with each other. –Continue until the group is “warmed up” and ready for the next activity. This will probably be after about 5 topics.

List of Categories Two Categories When you clasp your hands together and fold the thumbs across the top, is your right or left thumb on top? Fold your arms across your chest. Is your right or left arm on top? Which leg do you put into your pants first? Which eye do you prefer to wink with? Many Categories What is your favorite season? How many siblings do you have? What color are your eyes? What’s your shoe size? What type of shoes are you wearing? What’s your favorite color? What’s your star sign?

Get-To-Know-You/Team Builder Human Knot Helps a group learn about how to work together Involves close proximity Can also focus on group understanding of communication, leadership, problem solving, teamwork, trust, persistence, etc. Approximate group size is 7 – 16. The more in the group, the more difficult the task.

Human Knot Ask participants to form a circle, shoulder-to-shoulder. Ask participants to each place a hand in the middle of the circle and to grasp another hand. To emphasize learning of names, ask participants to introduce themselves. Then ask participants to put their other hand in the middle, grasp a different person’s hand, and introduce themselves. Explain to participants that their task is to untangle themselves, without letting go of hands, into a circle. Participants may change their grip so as to more comfortable, but they are not to unclasp and re-clasp so as to undo the knot. Be prepared to see little progress for quite some time (up to 10 minutes). However, once the initial unfolding happens, the pace towards the final solution usually seems to quicken.

Get-To-Know-You/Review Celebrity ID Game Recommended for medium to large groups (18+) The moderator prepares labels with famous celebrity/well known names (e.g. Tom Hanks, Mickey Mouse, Barry Bonds, etc.) and puts a label on each person’s back Everyone mingles and introduces themselves to each other, and then each person asks “yes” or “no” questions to gain clues about the name posted on their backs. When a person correctly identifies the name, he or she removes the label and continues to mingle until a preset amount of time. Alternative Labels

Creating a Game Name Time Required Size of Group Materials Required Overview Goals Procedure Discussion Points Variations

To Finish… Complete the Activity Sheet associated with this program. Retain the completed Activity Sheet for future discussions with other faculty / Lead Faculty / Program Chairs