Success / Barriers / Solutions Debriefing Walkabout
Equipment list
Flipchart markers
Flipchart paper
Chalk
Whiteboard markers
Explanation
This is a physically active way for learners of any age (adults included) to debrief learning/teaching experiences that they have had.
To set up:
Establish an information/reflection collection area where participants will record their reflections. This can be set up outdoors or indoors in an area that promotes the ability of groups to take 2-5 minute walks repeatedly. For example, set up the information/reflection capturing area on the external wall of the school. Use flipchart papers, a chalk/whiteboard or anything else you have to set up the following reflection capturing areas: successes, barriers, solutions.
Divide participants into pairs or groups of three and provide each group with a marker.
To run the lesson:
The groups first take a 3-5 minute walk to discuss the successes they experienced related to whatever experience you are debriefing. For example, the groups could walk the perimeter of the school while focusing their conversation on their successes. When they return to the information/reflection capturing area, they record some of their successes on the appropriate flipchart/area of the whiteboard.
Then the groups take a second walk to focus their discussion on barriers they faced during the experience you are debriefing. Ensure that for each barrier a group discusses, they also brainstorm possible solutions to be recorded in the reflection collection area.
This walking debrief and reflection recording process can continue as long as you see fit.
Once the groups have finished walking and recording their reflections, facilitate a group share back and conversation about the information that the group has recorded in the information/reflection collection area.
Remember, you want the groups to remain focused on the topic they are debriefing, so the trick is to select a walking route that provides groups enough time to focus on the topic, while not being so long that their conversation drifts off topic.
Variation/progression
To extend the experience, ask the groups to focus their conversation on only one example of each category for each walking period.
For example, each walking group focuses on one example of a success related to the experience the class is debriefing while they walk the perimeter of the school. When they return to the information/reflection collection area they record that example on the appropriate flipchart/whiteboard. Then they walk and talk about another example of a success and so on. This continues as long as necessary.