Would+You+Rather

= Would You Rather? = @http://www.openclipart.org/detail/106357 @http://www.openclipart.org/detail/84217

Grade 2-12 Any Subject
Created by Vertoria Lagroon Boise State University EdTech 523 Spring Semester, 2011

Traditional face-to-face activity
Traditionally, the teacher or facilitator would have all students or participants standing. The room would be sectioned off into two halves either using tape or some other marking that everyone is informed of. The teacher or facilitator would ask “would you rather” questions. All participants that agree with the first alternative will go to one section of the room and the ones that agree with the second alternative will go to the other section. Participants have to choose a side. They cannot pick neither or both. An example of a “would you rather” question is: Would you rather be invisible or be able to read minds? The number of questions is decided upon by the facilitator.

Modified online version
The facilitator will create a wiki page in which class participants can edit. The wiki page will need to consist of approximately 5 to 7 “would you rather” questions. Each question should be followed by a t-chart or table with each alternative having its own column. The t-chart should have enough space for students to add their names to their respective column with an explanation of why they chose which alternative. Please see example below. This icebreaker could be implemented in both synchronous and asynchronous learning environments. Synchronous would perhaps be more entertaining because you would see the responses of your classmates in real-time. However, the objective of the icebreaker is achieved through either type of learning environment. This icebreaker can be used for school children from1st or 2nd grade to 12th grade as well as for adults. Questions should be modified to align with grade level. Participants must be able to read and write (type).


 * Example: Would you rather…eliminate hunger and disease or bring lasting world peace?**
 * === eliminate hunger and disease === || ===bring lasting world peace === ||
 * Jane Doe - Children should never endure such || Vertoria Lagroon - I choose this one because even if hunger and disease were still prevalent, at least people would be dying from natural causes and not from the hand of another human being. Also, world peace may eliminate the hunger because people would be more caring and share ||

"Would You Rather?" Example Questions
Would you rather be invisible or be able to read minds? Would you rather go without television or fast food for the rest of your life? Would you rather have permanent diarrhea or permanent constipation? Would you rather not hear or not see? Would you rather be stranded on a deserted island alone or with someone you don't like? Would you rather see the future or change the past? Would you rather be an apple or a banana? Would you rather wrestle a lion or fight a shark?

Asynchronous/synchronous
Can be asynchronous or synchronous.