a student writes a "happiness" message in chalk on campus

Mad, Sad, Glad

 Why do it? Get a sense for how the group is feeling about a topic, activity, the course, or anything really.

 Category: Collaboration / Feedback
 Time: 30 minutes
 Group or Individual: Group Activity

 

Overview

Understanding how our students feel about different activities, course materials, the course, or their groups is a quick and easy way to gain valuable feedback and add to the community, voice, and choice we offer in our courses.

 

Directions

  Note: This activity may be done in small groups or as a whole class, depending on the topic of discussion and the goal.

  1. On a large piece of paper, create three columns with the headings "Mad," "Sad," and "Glad."
  2. Ask participants to spend five minutes creating sticky notes – one idea per sticky – responding to the question: "What are you mad about?"
    • Note: You may also want to add examples to help clarify and define "mad".
  3. After time has passed, each person shares what they wrote and posts them in the "Mad" column.

     

      Note: you may consider using the Theme Sort strategy as participants post their stickies.

     

  4. Ask participants to spend five minutes creating sticky notes – one idea per sticky – responding to the question: "What are you sad about?"
    • Note: Once again, you may also want to add examples to help clarify and define "sad".
  5. After time has passed, each person shares what they wrote and posts them in the "Sad" column.
  6. Ask participants to spend five minutes creating sticky notes – one idea per sticky – responding to the question: "What are you glad about?"
    • Note: As with the others before, you may want to add examples to help clarify and define "glad".
  7. After time has passed, each person shares what they wrote and posts them in the "Glad" column.
  8. Spend about five minutes talking through what was brought up and reflecting on the collective input of all the members.

  Note: In a virtual space? No worries. Use a virtual whiteboard, slides, or a simple shared document to facilitate and gather ideas.

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References

  • (2022).

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