Positive gossiping is an activity designed to stimulate active listening among students. It can be used to help students get to know each other or to facilitate knowledge exchange. In several rounds, students share information with each other by ‘gossiping’ in a positive way about one another or about the content.
- Activity goal
- Exchange knowledge | Get to know each other
- When
- In class
- Where
- Offline
- Duration
- < 10 minutes
- Group size
- Small
- Materials
Pen and paper, post it's
Step-by-step
Step 1
Present the question to the students.
Step 2
Give the students some thinking time and ask them to write down their answers. Don’t forget to remind them to put their name on the paper.
Step 3
Round 1: In this round, there is no gossiping yet. Students pair up and tell each other what they wrote on their own paper. At the end of the round, they exchange papers.
Stap 4
Round 2: Everyone finds a new partner and tells their new partner what’s written on the paper (i.e., what the previous student wrote). Since everyone is now talking about someone else, they are "gossiping." At the end of the round, students exchange papers again.
Stap 5
Repeat this round as many times as you like.
Tip 1
Use a timer so it’s clear how long each round lasts for everyone.
Tip 2
Let the students know in advance how many rounds there will be.
Tip 3
Clearly explain the activity beforehand and emphasize the importance of active listening.
Pen and paper / post it's
Consider the tools and materials mentioned here as suggestions. In many cases it’s possible to use alternative tools. Please turn to the Learning & Innovation team of your faculty first to see which online and offline tools are available and how to apply them.
