The concept behind the activity
‘All learning is based on feedback’, John Sterman, Professor for System Dynamics at MIT. Being able to experience this phenomenon was what moved us to include this learning project in our range. This activity makes tangible the process of how teams can become learning systems: the team achieves excellence through developing skills together and through constant feedback on the status quo.
Facilitating the activity
With a budget of ten £1,000 tokens, the group has the task of finding the hidden path across the field. After a short planning period, the group attempts the activity in silence. But there are traps and stumbling blocks along the way. If someone steps on the wrong square, the trainer gives a signal. Such unavoidable errors are not sanctioned. But, if the group repeats the same mistake again, the trainer gives the signal again and the group has to pay £1,000. Through mutual support and joint learning, the group manages to develop a strategy and use up as little money as possible so that, in the end, all participants can cross the field. The teams need to compensate for the weaknesses of individual members and silently develop a joint approach. The Flip: The Maze is also perfect for the learning project ‘The Flip’. The whole group stands on the cloth. The task is to turn the cloth without stepping off it. With strategy and planning, even this challenge can be mastered! Learning names: a different way to learn names: 2 groups are formed who ‘hide’ themselves on either side of The Maze, which is being held by 2 other people. Each group silently nominates a person to stand directly in front of the cloth. On a coordinated signal, the cloth is then dropped. The first to name the person from the opposite group wins the round. The ‘loser’ must go over to the winning group. The aim is to get all people from each group over to the other group, i.e. to switch sides.
