Ice-Breaker Tuesday: Virtual Scavenger Hunt: Uncover the Hidden Gems!

In this week's blog, we will be discussing a fun virtual scavenger hunt ice-breaker that can be easily  adapted to any type of online course. We'll talk about how to set up the scavenger hunt, provide some tips and tricks for success, and share ideas for activities that can be used during the hunt. Learn more in today's blog post.

We know that ice-breakers are important in developing an online community and helping students make connections in a digital environment. Today's ice-breaker is a fun was of accomplishing this goal.

Objective: This interactive ice-breaker activity is designed to engage participants in an asynchronous online course by encouraging them to explore their surroundings and share interesting items they find, sparking conversations and connections within the course community.

Instructions:
1. Announce the scavenger hunt: Send a course-wide announcement or email explaining the ice-breaker activity. Provide clear instructions and a deadline for participation.

2. Set the rules: Share the following guidelines with participants:
- Each participant will find and share pictures or descriptions of specific items from their environment.
- Items should be unique, interesting, and unexpected. Encourage creativity!
- Participants must take the pictures themselves and not use images from the internet.
- The items should be safe and appropriate to share with the course community.

3. Create a list of items: Compile a list of around 10 items for participants to find. These items can be related to the course topic or general in nature. For example:
- A favorite book or novel.
- An item that represents their culture or heritage.
- Something that makes them laugh.
- A piece of artwork (can be handmade).
- A childhood memento or toy.
- A unique or quirky gadget.
- A favorite snack or drink.
- An object that represents their passion or hobby.
- A plant or flower.
- An interesting piece of stationery.

4. Share the list: Distribute the list of items to participants through a course announcement, email, or discussion forum. Ensure that the list is easily accessible and visible to all participants.

5. Participant engagement: Participants will have a specified time (e.g., one week) to find and capture pictures or descriptions of the items on the list. Encourage participants to engage with one another by responding to posts and discussing the shared items. They can share their findings by replying to the original announcement, creating new threads, or using designated discussion forums. This activity is also well suited to do in an environment such as VoiceThread or Padlet.

6. Show and tell: After the deadline, encourage participants to summarize their scavenger hunt experience in a short paragraph or post. Ask them to share their favorite item, something they learned from others, or any surprises they encountered during the activity.

7. Facilitator involvement: As the facilitator, make sure to actively participate in the scavenger hunt by sharing your own pictures or descriptions of the items. Engage with participants' posts, provide positive feedback, and ask follow-up questions to generate conversations and foster connections.

8. Follow-up discussion: Consider initiating a follow-up discussion or reflection forum where participants can discuss their overall experience, the connections they made, and any new insights gained from the activity.

By implementing this virtual scavenger hunt, participants will have an opportunity to explore their surroundings, showcase their unique perspectives, and create a sense of camaraderie within the online course community. Have fun and enjoy uncovering the hidden gems together!

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!