Assignments, Exercises, and Simulations used in interpersonal, small group, and related communication courses

EMPATHY's
Assignments, Exercises, & Simulations
for interpersonal and small group communication classes

Page Index | Assignments | Exercises | Simulations (empty) | Testing (empty)

EMPATHY has received, over years, a number of instructional suggestions provided by our readers. We have also found a number of ideas on web pages which contain valuable materials for the classroom teacher.

This section, "Assignments, Exercises, & Simulations" is intended as a repository for material:
(1) which does not easily fit into one of the other sections and
(2) which is likely to be of interest to a broad range of our readers.
Our course web pages and our other web based resources sections will also be a rich source of assignments, exercises, simulations, and testing ideas.

Cataloging our links in this section is guided by the following definitions: An assignment is a student or group project usually completed outside of class with at least one component (e.g., a written report) which is graded. An exercise is a demonstration or training technique usually done in class with active participation by some or all students. Simulations are usually extended exercises requiring detailed instructions, frequently requiring several days to complete, which imitate a "real life" process. Testing ideas include techniques of measurement, including test items or testing strategies, and assessment of skills.

We depend on your gifts of ideas. We can provide you a page for your ideas, or we will link to your site.

Assignments

Most Effective Communicator is a project for interpersonal communication students developed and written by Laura A. Janusik (University of Maryland at College Park). This assignment consists of a pre-conversation plan, an audiotaped conversation with your most effective communicator or someone whose communication skills you greatly respect, and a written analysis of the conversation. The purpose of the assignment is to have the student test ideas taught in the course against the experience of a respected person. Click here for a full description.

Visit our lyrics and films sections for ideas for assignments and exercises.

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Exercises

Ball of Yarn Ice-Breaker. This description prepared by Laura Joyce, Prince Georges Community College, Maryland
Group-Games.Com. John Stakis host a site which provides "fun group games and ice breakers useful for parties, classrooms, organizations, companies, college students, clubs, youth groups, camps, and game lovers in general!" http://www.group-games.com./

Icebreakers posted by Charles Silver (Scottsdale Community College). Click here to see a description of five icebreakers.

Selected Student Generated Icebreakers (collected by Lori Halverson-Wente, Winona St U, Minnesota). A well-presented description of various beginning of course icebreakers. Highly recommended. http://phil.winona.msus.edu/lorihw/icebreakers.htm (Not active as of September 14, 2003)

The Sugar Test (Thomas G. Endres, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN) dramatically demonstrates how interdependent we are even at the physiological level. The exercise requires a student to eat a packet of sugar, and then surprising things happen. This demonstration will capture your students' attention and they will talk about it for years.
Visit our lyrics and films sections for ideas for assignments and exercises.

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Simulations

Please submit your ideas.

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Testing Ideas

Please submit your ideas.