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Defy Icebreakers: A 5-Goal Map for Intentional Introduction Activities

5 days

Cohort-based Course

🔥 Icebreakers Are Broken. Learners are Freezing Up. Cut the Small Talk and Get to Large Learning.

Defy Icebreakers: A 5-Goal Map for Intentional Introduction Activities

5 days

Cohort-based Course

🔥 Icebreakers Are Broken. Learners are Freezing Up. Cut the Small Talk and Get to Large Learning.

Hosted by

Dr. Stacy Greathouse

Piratical Pedagogue | Learning Architect | Founder of Dark Classroom

Dr. Stacy Greathouse

Piratical Pedagogue | Learning Architect | Founder of Dark Classroom

Previously at

Course overview

From Wasted Time to a Winning Start—Impressions That Fuel Learning

Ditch the awkward, pointless introductions. Your first learning moments set the stakes for everything that follows. Done well, it creates buy-in, builds trust, and lays the foundation for transformational learning. Done poorly? Students lower their expectations—of your course, their own engagement, and their potential for transformation—before you even get to the good stuff.

This course gives you an evidence-based, high-impact 5-Goal Map for designing intentional introductions that serve your course—whether you’re teaching online, hybrid, or in person. Make this moment a launchpad for engagement, trust, and lasting knowledge.

This isn’t about short, shallow talk—it’s about building momentum from moment one to set your course up for success.

Why This Course Works (And Why It’s Different):

✅ It’s backed by research—not trends or fluff.

✅ It’s designed for any learning experience, online and in person.

✅ It gives you tools, not just theory—you’ll walk away with an activity and ready to build more.

✅ It defies outdated teaching norms—because better is possible.

You don’t need icebreakers to freeze out your learners. You need a framework that starts them on the right path.

Who this course is for

Educators of all levels who are done with outdated introduction activities that fail to connect—and are ready to spark everlasting learning.

Course designers and learning architects who need to build impact and community—by model innovation and learner-centered savvy.

Instructors in online, hybrid, or in-person settings looking to build rapport and thrive with structured, research-backed introductions.

Educators of all levels who are done with outdated introduction activities that fail to connect—and are ready to spark everlasting learning.

Course designers and learning architects who need to build impact and community—by model innovation and learner-centered savvy.

Instructors in online, hybrid, or in-person settings looking to build rapport and thrive with structured, research-backed introductions.

What you’ll learn (Without the Fluff)

Create a high-impact, intentional introduction activity.

🔹 A research-backed 5-goal map to turn introductions into a foundation for deep learning.

Apply the evaluation tool to existing introduction activities.

🔹 A hands-on activity evaluation tool and activity builder process to transform icy responses into the warmth of connection to both content and peers.

Provide and receive feedback on your activity.

🔹Craft your own introduction activity through feedback and collaboration with other educators.

Translate evidence-based education theory into practice.

🔹 Authentic cases that have had real-world success.

What’s included

Live sessions

Learn directly from Dr. Stacy Greathouse in a real-time, interactive format.

Lifetime access

Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.

Community of peers

Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.

Certificate of completion

Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.

Maven Guarantee

This course is backed by the Maven Guarantee. Students are eligible for a full refund up until the halfway point of the course.

Course syllabus

3 live sessions • 11 lessons • 2 projects

Week 1

Jul 14—Jul 18

Day 1: Introduce Yourself

1 item

Day 2: Empathy and Goals 1-2

Jul
15
Session 1
Tue 7/158:30 PM—10:30 PM (UTC)

4 more items

Day 3: Goals 3-5 + Activity Evaluation Tool

Jul
16
Session 2
Wed 7/168:30 PM—10:30 PM (UTC)

4 more items

Day 4: Build Your Introduction Activity

Jul
17
Session 3
Thu 7/178:30 PM—10:30 PM (UTC)

4 more items

Meet your instructor

Dr. Stacy Greathouse

I’ve got a PhD in pirates, pedagogy, and children’s literature—basically, the trifecta of “That’s flipping cool! But wait. What do you do with it?” Answer: I use it to blow ‘Normal’ out of the water.

The first schools for teachers were called “normal colleges.” Fitting, then, that I earned my doctorate at Illinois State University… in Normal, Illinois. The irony isn’t lost on me. But here’s the truth: Normal teaching isn’t good enough.

For over 30 years, I’ve taught ages 3 to 83 across K-12, higher ed, corporate training, non-profit, and community programs. I’ve been a curriculum designer, adjunct, teacher, career counselor, instructional designer, test scorer (don’t ask), academic accreditor, and more. My work with educators spanned 5 continents.

Through it all, one thing became clear: Education needs a mutiny.

Now known as Dr. Pyrate, I proudly wield my neurodistinct perspective to challenge outdated norms and build high-impact, research-backed learning experiences. If you're ready to plunder the best strategies, break free from traditional education, and design bold, learner-driven experiences anywhere, let’s defy normal and chart a new course.

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