Reviewing is an important part of any team or activity learning programme. It is a point in the session where you can connect the dots, confirm the learning with the group and consolidate any information that they may have taken on board during the learning process.
If you hurry your review it can hinder the quality of learning and the outcomes for the session. However, even if you have just a few minute spare – you still have enough time and get reasonably good results. There is always time for a quick review (even if it’s a minute!).
If you have enough time, it can be beneficial to do a variety of reviews, delivered in differing styles and pace to ensure the your learners are fully engaged – try use resources such ropes, question cards and posters such as blob trees to make it fun and interesting for learners.
Reviews don’t only fit in at the end of sessions. There can be many positive results from reviewing an activity throughout, including highlighting any learning points for the group to take on board for the remainder of the session and setting progressive goals for the group.
The review is about the group, so try to listen more than speak if you can help it. The activity is about the participants and their achievements – your job is to facilitate the learning (make learning easy) and guide them in the right direction.
The Art of Asking Questions
Ask great questions. Socrates says in Plato’s ‘Protagoras’, “My way toward the truth is to ask the right questions.” Such questions stimulate the participants thinking rather than provoke arguments. For example:
- How did you plan for the challenge?
- What helped you or stopped you from achieving the outcomes?
- If you had to do it again, what changes would you have made to the way your approached the task
- What evidence supports that conclusion?
You could even try some reflective practice questions such as:
- Thinking on your own for a moment, I want you to think about your own performance and what you would personally do different next time etc
Check out my 1 minute 2 minute 5 minute and 10 minute reviews and resources that can be used when reviewing at the end or throughout activities.
I have a chapter dedicated to reviewing in my eBook, The Team Building Activity Book. The book provides an easy to use, step-by-step guide to teaching team building with full descriptions for over 30 team building challenges including: printable challenger briefs, ready to use programmes and access to exclusive member downloads. Check it out here.
