Whenever I do workshops every person in the room is involved. The reason is that however much you read about a game or song, or even watch videos, it’s not until you try it as a student that you actually see why it works. For example when I first started on the JET programme everyone was talking about games in all the workshops. And I was thinking “Why does everyone keep going on about games all the time?”. Then in one group they actually had us play some of them. The first one they did was Criss Cross. At the beginning I was just wanting it do be over, thinking “What are we doing playing kids’ games. We’re supposed to be teachers!”. But then part way through I noticed other people sitting down. Then near the end I was suddenly struck by the fact that if I didn’t put in an effort to win, I could be the last one standing. Now that was scary! That’s when the heart rate increases and suddenly you’re desperate to answer the questions and win the game.

If it wasn’t for that experience I probably would never have realised just how and why games work. The thing is it takes a leap of faith to actually try the thing in the first place.

Seth Godin talks about “how to be a great audience” i.e. the more you participate in a conference (or class) the more you get out of it. But today I wasn’t at a conference I just popped along to see a Taiko drum show. And as soon as the guy mentioned they were looking for “volunteers” I was filled with dread as I knew they’d pick the only face that was different to all the rest. I just really wasn’t in the mood to get up on stage in front of all those people. Contrary to what you might think, I much prefer to stay in the background. But of course everyone got on the bandwagon of trying to persuade, and physically drag, me to play the drums. And if I hadn’t played Taiko before then it would have been a fantastic “once in a lifetime” experience. As it was I guess I got a free workout for the day ( hitting those drums is hard work!).

Anyway, the point is that there are probably lots of games, songs and ideas that you’ve read or heard about but you’ve thought, “Nah, I don’t think that will work”. But just try it and see. Even better, try it as a student! Once you participate and get hit by the adrenaline, emotion and need to win it completely changes how you see just about all the games and songs!