EAM 2017 Proceedings »
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Gridwork is an experiential team learning activity used with new MBA students participating in a residential MBA week-long course designed to orient students to the MBA program and lay the groundwork for key MBA topics covered in the program. Gridwork requires collaboration and resolving conflict as teams compete against each other in order to be the first team to: 1) Build a grid using a template, and; 2) Discover the correct pre-determined path through the grid. In addition to being a fun, icebreaker, the activity servers as an advance organizer for key concepts including teams, communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution which will be introduced during the debrief session of the activity and then during the residency course. Not only do students gain knowledge of themselves and each other during the activity, the instructor gains valuable insight into the behavioral styles of class participants. The de-briefing of the students’ lessons learned, provides content for class discussions throughout the following week long residency. Student’s often report the Gridwork activity as a key highlight during their week long MBA learning experience.
Author(s):
Gwen Burbank
St. George's University
Grenada
