This is a hands-on session where attendees will participate in exercises that teach communication skills. I have used these exercises in communications courses taught through the Oregon State University Honors College and the UEngage program. I have also used them with adult groups for team-building and individually as ice-breakers. There are exercises emphasizing focus in groups. Others emphasize cooperation or trust. If past experience repeats, everyone will be laughing so much, they won’t realize how much they are learning. Participants will leave with a hand-out describing the exercises they learned and the skills that each one emphasizes. 1. In group work, only one person can have the focus at one time and each person must be expecting the focus at any time. 2. Let go of unimportant mistakes and don't think about them again. 3. Unspoken agendas interfere with a group working well together.
