Ice-Breaker Tuesday: Mystery Bag

In my last Zoom board meeting with the North American Simulation and Gaming Association (NASAGA), we did a fun ice-breaker where we showed an item in the room we were in that was important to us and shared why. I shared a picture I keep in my office of my amazing mentor Dr. Catherine Alicia Georges. I shared why she is important to me and why I keep her picture near me in my office. It struck me as to how much others could learn about me through this simple activity. Today's blog post is a play on that activity. Read on to learn more.

When teaching online, creating a strong sense of community can be a challenge. Despite this challenge, it is crucial to understand the importance of building connections among our students and fostering an environment where they feel comfortable sharing, learning, and growing together. That's where the "Mystery Bag" ice-breaker comes in—a fun, engaging way to kickstart these essential connections in your online class. 

Why "Mystery Bag"?

The "Mystery Bag" activity is more than just a game; it’s a bridge that helps students cross the initial barriers of unfamiliarity. In a traditional classroom, you might pass around a bag filled with intriguing items, each with its own story. In our online classrooms, we can recreate this experience by inviting students to share personal items that hold special meaning to them.

How It Works

Each student selects an object from their home that is significant to them. It might be something that represents their journey in nursing, a cherished memory, or even a symbol of their aspirations. The twist? They describe this object without revealing what it is, sparking curiosity and conversation among their peers as everyone tries to guess what the object might be.

Fostering Engagement and Empathy

The "Mystery Bag" ice-breaker is particularly powerful for nursing students, who will need to build rapport and trust with patients. By sharing personal stories and engaging in this guessing game, students practice empathy, active listening, and communication—skills that are vital in the profession of nursing.

Implementing the Activity

Setting up the "Mystery Bag" for an asynchronous online course is simple:

1. Create a Discussion Thread: Start a new thread dedicated to the "Mystery Bag" activity on your LMS.
2. Post Instructions: Clearly outline the steps for the activity, encouraging students to think deeply about their chosen object and its significance.
3. Encourage Participation: Ask students to describe their objects in a post, engage with their peers by guessing and asking questions, and later reveal their objects and the stories behind them.

Building a Cohesive Class Community

As students share and engage, they begin to see beyond the screens and into the lives of their classmates. They discover shared experiences and diverse backgrounds, laying the foundation for a supportive and cohesive learning community.

Incorporating activities like the "Mystery Bag" not only makes your online course more interactive but also helps students build the soft skills essential for their nursing careers.

I'd love to hear your ideas on this ice-breaker. Share them in The Online Educator Facebook Group!

Would you like me to spotlight one of your ice-breakers? Share your assignment HERE for an opportunity to be spotlighted in The Online Educator Blog.

Happy Ice-Breaking!