Framework for the Design and Evaluation of Icebreakers in Group Work

Abstract

Humans are social by nature and they have a need to discuss and collaborate with others (Sharp et al., 2007). Group work is an essential practice in work and educational settings and is required when an assignment is too substantial for an individual to complete alone. Icebreakers can be an important part of team work for both adults and children. They are used to improve communication and collaboration, support creative thinking, and enhance knowledge and experience sharing within groups. To our knowledge there is scarce research conducted in relation to this subject within the HCI community. The usefulness and results of icebreakers will be examined in this master thesis. The focus is on how to design icebreakers with specific purposes and effects in mind, and how these effects can guide the design and development of icebreakers used in group work.