Cohort-based Course
š„ Icebreakers Are Broken. Learners are Freezing Up. Cut the Small Talk and Get to Large Learning.
Cohort-based Course
š„ Icebreakers Are Broken. Learners are Freezing Up. Cut the Small Talk and Get to Large Learning.
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Course overview
Ditch the awkward, pointless introductions. Your first class sets 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 expectationsāof your course, their own engagement, and their potential for transformationābefore you even get to the good stuff.
This course gives you an evidence-based, high-impact 5-Goal Framework for designing intentional introductions that serve your courseāwhether youāre teaching online, hybrid, or in person. Make this moment a launchpad for engagement, trust, and lasting knowledge.
This isnāt about short, shallow talkāitās about building momentum from moment one to set your course up for success.
Why This Course Works (And Why Itās Different):
ā Itās backed by researchānot trends or fluff.
ā Itās designed for any learning experience, online and in person.
ā It gives you tools, not just theoryāyouāll walk away ready to build.
ā It defies outdated teaching normsābecause better is possible.
You donāt need icebreakers to freeze out your learners. You need a framework that starts them on the right path.
01
Educators of all levels who are done with outdated introduction activities that fail to connectāand are ready to spark everlasting learning.
02
Course designers and learning architects who need to build impact and communityāby model innovation and learner-centered savvy.
03
Instructors in online, hybrid, or in-person settings looking to build rapport and thrive with structured, research-backed introductions.
Create a high-impact, intentional introduction activity.
š¹ A research-backed 5-goal framework to turn introductions into a foundation for deep learning.
Apply the evaluation tool to existing introduction activities.
š¹ 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.
š¹Craft your own introduction activity through feedback and collaboration with other educators.
Translate evidence-based education theory into practice.
š¹ Authentic cases that have had real-world success
3 interactive live sessions
Lifetime access to course materials
7 in-depth lessons
Direct access to instructor
2 projects to apply learnings
Guided feedback & reflection
Private community of peers
Course certificate upon completion
Maven Satisfaction Guarantee
This course is backed by Mavenās guarantee. You can receive a full refund within 14 days after the course ends, provided you meet the completion criteria in our refund policy.
Defy Icebreakers: A 5-Goal Framework for Intentional Introduction Activities
May
6
Session 1
May
7
Session 2
May
8
Session 3
Iāve got a PhD in pirates, pedagogy, and childrenās literatureābasically, the trifecta of āThatās flipping cool! But wait. What do you do with it?ā Answer: I use it to blow āNormalā out of the water.
The first schools for teachers were called ānormal colleges.ā Fitting, then, that I earned my doctorate at Illinois State Universityā¦ in Normal, Illinois. The irony isnāt lost on me. But hereās the truth: Normal teaching isnāt good enough.
For over 30 years, Iāve taught ages 3 to 83 across K-12, higher ed, corporate training, non-profit, and community programs. Iāve been a curriculum designer, adjunct, teacher, career counselor, instructional designer, test scorer (donāt ask), academic accreditor, and more. Through it all, one thing became clearāeducation 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, letās defy normal and chart a new course.
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4 days: ~ 8 hours
Monday
1 hour
In the online course:
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday
1hr pre-work, Live Session 4:30 ā 6 pm
Pre-work in the online course:
1.5 hr live session:
High-Impact Introduction project
You'll have time to complete your own Introduction Activity using the 5-Goal Framework during the live session. Peer feedback based on the evaluation tool can continue after the session.
Active hands-on learning
This course builds on live workshops and hands-on projects
Interactive and project-based
Youāll be interacting with other learners through breakout rooms and project teams
Learn with a cohort of peers
Join a community of like-minded people who want to learn and grow alongside you
Be the first to know about upcoming cohorts