A lot of valuable information can be shared in one minute reviews. Quick sharing exercises raise awareness and appreciation of each other. Think about using these after each task, so when you perform a longer review you can refer back to these ‘checkpoints’ and identify progressive learning points.
Check Mood States
To bring out mood changes, ask each person simultaneously to show their mood states simultaneously using simple signals such as thumbs up or down (or in between). Choose a few points throughout the activity to see mood states. If you want the group to see each others mood states first get into a circle, then (at each set of signals) ask “any surprises”
Check Energy (Fuel Gauge)
To discover energy levels, ask each person simultaneously to show their energy levels using simple signals such as using their arms as a fuel gauge. If you want everyone to see each others signals, first get into a signal, then after each set of signals invite comments from the group. Use this to compare energy levels from the start of session to the end, ask what would help to restore or re-charge energy levels.
3 Words
“Choose three separate words (not a phrase) that describes what you experienced during the activity” allow thirty seconds thinking time, then share in a round. This is usually a lot quicker than doing sentence completion in rounds and it often happens to be an example of “less is more” a lot can be said in just three words.
Positive Feedback
“10 good things about you as a group during the activity” Encourage comments from within the group, but throw in some yourself. Go beyond 10 if you can – mainly because the first view comments (however valid they are) tend to be vague and clichéd. With this exercise quantity tends to bring out quality because comments tend to get more specific. End by asking what they will carry forward to the next session.
Take Time Out
Don’t always wait till the end of the activity to review. All of the above techniques can be done throughout the session at any natural breaks – for example, while waiting for a turn having a rest or while sheltering from the weather.
The majority of these 1 Minute Reviews were taken from Roger Greenaways fantastic reviewing website, for more great ideas visit: www.reviewing.co.uk