PPD - Activities done in the past

Activity Name: Taking the Helium stick to the ground

Things we used:
 PVC pipe

Brief explanation:

This was the first day that we attended to a PPD session according to the

timetable. Dr.Upamali and other staff members brought some poles to the

classroom. Therefore we were wondering, because we were expecting a

normal lecture which is using a graphical presentation.

We were grouped and there are about 10 members in a group.

This game was introduced as ‘Helium stick’. We had to pull that stick down

by using only thumb .First we thought that it’s a easy task. But it wasn’t a

simple task. We had to hold the stick by using our thumbs, and bring that

down.

Our major problem was miscommunication. It was a hard task to explain

what to do as a team to bring that stick down. Finally we all agreed to bring

stick down after counting to 3.At the beginning that wasn’t successful too.

But gradually we were managed to bring that stick down.

We learned that working as a team isn’t a easy task as we think. There

are different people who think in various ways. And therefore there must

be a leader who can handle such a situation. That leader should have an

ability to communicate with all the teammates and get their ideas.

Learning outcomes from the activity:

 Leadership is essential for group activities

 It is better to have good listeners in a team rather than the speakers to communicate well among the group

Activity Name: Building a paper tower

Things we used:
 10 A4 papers
 A sellotape
 A scissor

Brief explanation:

After the first activity ,we had to form another new group. Ten A4 sheets,

selotapes and a scissor was given to each group. We had to construct

the highest and stable paper tower by using only the given A4 sheets.

First of all, we planned about the structure of this tower .Because it must

not only be the highest, but also must be stable. Given time period is

short, therefore we had to do planning part quickly and started to

implement while discussing.

We tried to speak in English all the time because there are some of our

Tamil friends too. Any way we managed to build up the paper tower in

the time that we had given. Our tower got the 3rd place for the height.

All of us worked together as a group. But only few people were sharing

ideas, others were silent. That’s a weak point of our group. And we must

implement the best idea among other ideas. If there is a better idea we

have to accept it as a group. And a another thing is , planning task must

do properly before we entering to the developing part. A good plan will

lead us to the success!

What we learnt from the activity:
 Team work
 Leadership
 Planning

Activity Name: Cotton and Straw

Things we used:

 A peace of cotton

 A straw

Brief explanation:

Again we are grouped. In each and every activity we are getting new

groups. Therefore we can work with different people who have different

ideas.

A piece of strew was given to every one and a small piece of cotton is

given to each group. We had to blow toward that piece of cotton and

keep somehow that thing above the floor. And the team which keep that

piece of cotton for the longest time period ,is the winning team!

Our team tried few times and then discussed to be in positions according

to our heights. Some said that taller people must come inside, while

others said that shorter people must be in centre. We tried both ways

and finally we kept that piece of cotton above floor for 2.3 seconds. But

another group has kept that for 3min.

Thing that we learned from this activity is when we doing a sensitive

work we must fully concentrate about the work. And to try to avoid

mistakes.

Later we talked about the team building concept. There are four parts.

They are, Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing & Adjourning.

Learning outcomes from the activity:

 Should be a specific plan to achieve our goals instead of trying everything

 We are never to give up till our task gets completed

Activity 2 Name: Human chair circle

What we used:

 A set of chairs

Brief explanation:

I think this activity was the best one. We kept chairs in a circle. Then

we have to sat down and turn to a one side. Afterwards we had to lean

back on one another. Then all chairs were removed away! Feet must

keep closer ,and knee must keep around 90̊̊ . Therefore stability

becomes higher. Whole class was participated for this as groups.

Learning outcomes from the activity:

 We can do many things when we are in a team.

 Though we can’t do something as individuals we can do it very easily in a team

Activity Name: Blind Submarine

Used thiings:

 A piece of black cloth

 Some balls as treasures

 A water bag

 Some round plates as mines

Brief explanation:

We were divided into six groups. I belonged to the group no: 6. So one

in each group was made blind with the piece of black cloth. Then other

group members got lined after him and bent down hanging at the hips of

the one in front. Only the last one was allowed to see outside and guide

the team. We were given marks for collecting the treasures and bombing

other teams with the water bag was provided. All the actions could be

done by the blind one who is in front and the guiding was only from the

last one. We were to stay away from the mines too.

Learning outcomes from the activity:

 Following instructions is better than winning a competition any how

 When we work as a team we can go through individuals’ disabilities

Activity name: Blind Polygon

Used things:

 A piece of black cloth

 A rope

Brief explanation:

Some teams were in the same group as they were in “Blind Submarine”

activity. But rest of the groups tried to plan how to do the activity before

they were made blind and Upamali madam decided to re arrange the

groups. We were supposed to create the polygon as said by madam

using the rope while our eyes were tied. Everyone in the group had to

participate in it. Even the rope was given to our hands after having eyes

tied. There was an interesting part for the last group. When they were

making the polygon the people who led the team were KIDNAPPED.

Learning outcomes from the activity:

 Leadership is essential when a team is in a critical situation

 Listening to others and guiding is important

 Coordination

 Team work

 Unity of command

 Reorganizing in a panic situation ( when members are kidnapped )

Activity name: Creating Egg-guard

Things we used :

 Papers

 Cellor tape

 Scissor

Brief explanation :

Students were grouped into 7/8 members for each group

The challenge was to create a safe package for an egg in a

limited time. The egg will be drop from about 12 feet high, with

the package. The egg should be

unharmed after the fall.

We built a very good cover around

the egg. Pasted small paper balls

around the egg and another layer

of paper around that. The idea

was to absorb the shock after the

fall without harming the egg.

Our idea was a successful idea.

The egg wasn’t broken after the

fall.