Intended for:
This energiser is useful to demonstrate the importance of giving good feedback and demonstrating what can improve where good feedback is provided.
Training course contents:
A set of instructions for the energiser, ‘Feedback’ can be downloaded as a Word document for free from the link below, or you can use the notes provided here…
Resources Needed:
1 chair with space behind
1 container (bin/box)
6 juggling balls
Instructions:
Ask for a volunteer to take part in the exercise.
Ask the volunteer to sit on the chair and not to look behind him/her. Place the container somewhere behind the chair not allowing the volunteer to see or hear where you are placing it. Hand the 6 balls to the volunteer. Explain that there is a container somewhere behind the chair and ask him/her to throw the balls into the container without looking where they are going.
Ask the rest of the group to remain quiet during the exercise and not to give anything away which would help the volunteer. Allow all 6 balls to be thrown but do not offer any feedback or encouragement.
Following the activity, ask the volunteer how they felt about it. What was it like to receive no direction on their performance? Did they know how they were doing? Did they have a goal? What would have helped?
Explain that you are going to repeat the exercise giving feedback. This time ask what they think is a realistic target. Give them the option of looking around before they start (but not during the activity). Ask if they would like the container repositioned (within reason). Start the exercise and give feedback and encouragement after each throw.
After the exercise, ask how the volunteered felt. Then discuss how feedback should be given.
1. Check the learner wants and is ready for feedback.
2. Let the learner give comments/background to the material that is being assessed.
3. The learner states what was done well.
4. The observer(s) state what was done well.
5. The learner states what could be improved.
6. The observer(s) state how it could be improved.
7. An action plan for improvement is made.
In order to make the feedback session of value consider the following:
Things to do
Be constructive
Allow enough time
Be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time bound)
Give a balanced view (not forgetting the good things)
Things to avoid
Being personal
Being vague
Ending on a negative point
Giving too much feedback (you can only achieve so much)
Being unable to support an observation (no specific evidence)
Objectives:
Use this energiser to highlight the importance of good feedback and the part it plays in improving communication.
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