How to introduce an energizer?
It is possible that this topic is outside your comfort zone. For this, we have some extra advice related to how to do it.
When we start an energizer:
We capture attention for the energising moment, but not necessarily for the topic of the lesson we need to teach. We launch the energizer quickly, without proposing any reflection time. When we allow too much time for thinking, we give students - especially older ones - room for criticism and self-criticism (how to say/do something better, more attractive or different than others), instead of quickly energising their mind and body.
We introduce them naturally and conduct students in a way that they feel comfortable. If participants feel pressure to participate in an energizer, there is also the risk of turning this activity into a "refrigerator" or "ice maker". We can also advise students to leave their cameras turned off, if they don’t feel comfortable showing themselves.
We all have different styles of delivering online activities, so choose to deliver the energizers you feel most comfortable with. If you feel it fits the group very well, repeat the same energizer, as long as it's not very often. However, don't forget to mention why you want to repeat it – highlight the times when it worked really well.
Remember that students are not in their comfort zone during online lessons - try to have the mood you want to transfer to the students. You must be calm and relaxed and at the same time energised, so that you energise the students as well.
We have to reach at least one of the dimensions: attention, creativity, decision. When you cover them all, it’s perfect.
We stimulate contribution through students bringing individual resources together, not consumption of resources. An energizer that drains students of their energy is not an energizer.
We have to keep in mind that students might feel uncomfortable, and we should make them feel safe or give them space. Also, it is best when we participate as well - being open and curious to find out more about students, having fun with them, might help a lot.
Before diving into the energizers, remember: energy drains quickly when having lessons in front of the computer, so it is great if you use small breaks, be it for playing a song, facilitating a quick physical exercise (there is a whole section in this e-learning dedicated to movement breaks), initiating a brief moment of stretching, organising a quick karaoke or dancing session, glancing out the window for 1 minute, probing rapid reactions to a stimulus (e.g. “Tell us what you smell right now”), create a group picture while using the platform's smileys and reactions.
Reflection time:
Analyse your reaction related to proposing energizers. Do you like them? If not, where can you start, in order to feel confident using them?
