Learning project
‘All learning is based on feedback,’ explains John Sterman, Professor of System Dynamics at MIT. The ability to experience this phenomenon was just one of the reasons that led us to include The Maze learning project in our programme. Here, participants can experience how teams can become learning systems: by jointly developing skills and providing constant feedback on the status quo, the team achieves excellence.
Implementation
With a budget of ten times 1,000 euros, the group is tasked with finding the hidden path through a given field. After a short planning period, the group carries out the task in silence. However, there are traps and stumbling blocks everywhere that obstruct the path. If a misstep is made, the coach sounds a signal. Such unavoidable mistakes are not penalised. However, if the group repeats the same misstep – i.e. if it is an avoidable mistake – the coach sounds the signal again and the group has to pay 1,000 euros. Through mutual support and collaborative learning, the group manages to develop a strategy and use as little of the budget as possible so that, in the end, all participants can cross the field. The aim is to compensate for the weaknesses of individuals and to develop a common approach without speaking, i.e. purely non-verbally.
Variation A: The cloth is also suitable for carrying out the learning project ‘The Turn’. Here, the entire group stands on the cloth. Now they have the task of turning the cloth without stepping off it. With strategy and planning, this challenge can also be mastered!
Variation B: Learning names in a different way: Two groups are formed. They ‘hide’ to the right and left behind the scout, who is held by two people. Each group silently chooses a person to sit directly in front of the cloth. On a joint command, the cloth is dropped. Whoever names the other person first wins this round. The ‘loser’ must switch to the winning group. The goal is to get all the people on your own side.
Responsible for product safety: METALOG GmbH & Co. KG,
Gewerbering 18, 82140 Olching; Contact: sales@metalogtools.com
