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

Cohort-based Course

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

Previously at

International Probiotics
Texas Woman's University
Sonoran University of Health Sciences
Illinois State
Carnegie Mellon University

Course overview

From Wasted Time to a Winning Startā€”Impressions That Fuel Learning

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 expectationsā€”of your course, their own engagement, and their potential for transformationā€”before 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 courseā€”whether youā€™re teaching online, hybrid, or in person. Make this moment a launchpad for engagement, trust, and lasting knowledge.


This isnā€™t about short, shallow talkā€”itā€™s about building momentum from moment one to set your course up for success.


Why This Course Works (And Why Itā€™s Different):


āœ… Itā€™s backed by researchā€”not trends or fluff.

āœ… Itā€™s designed for any learning experience, online and in person.

āœ… It gives you tools, not just theoryā€”youā€™ll walk away ready to build.

āœ… It defies outdated teaching normsā€”because better is possible.


You donā€™t need icebreakers to freeze out your learners. You need a framework that starts them on the right path.

Who this course is for

01

Educators of all levels who are done with outdated introduction activities that fail to connectā€”and are ready to spark everlasting learning.

02

Course designers and learning architects who need to build impact and communityā€”by 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.

What youā€™ll learn (Without the Fluff)

Create a high-impact, intentional introduction activity.

šŸ”¹ A research-backed 5-goal framework to turn introductions into a foundation for deep learning.

Apply the evaluation tool to existing introduction activities.

šŸ”¹ 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.

šŸ”¹Craft your own introduction activity through feedback and collaboration with other educators.

Translate evidence-based education theory into practice.

šŸ”¹ Authentic cases that have had real-world success

This course includes

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 Mavenā€™s guarantee. You can receive a full refund within 14 days after the course ends, provided you meet the completion criteria in our refund policy.

Course syllabus

Week 1

May 19ā€”May 23

    Day 1: Introduce Yourself

    1 item

    Day 2: Empathy and the 5-Goal Framework

    • May

      6

      Session 1

      Tue 5/611:30 PMā€”1:00 AM (UTC)
    2 more items

    Day 3: Introduction Activity Assessment Tool

    • May

      7

      Session 2

      Wed 5/711:30 PMā€”1:00 AM (UTC)
    2 more items

    Day 4: Build Your Introduction Activity

    • May

      8

      Session 3

      Thu 5/811:30 PMā€”1:00 AM (UTC)
    4 more items

Meet your instructor

Dr. Stacy Greathouse

Dr. Stacy Greathouse

Iā€™ve got a PhD in pirates, pedagogy, and childrenā€™s literatureā€”basically, the trifecta of ā€œThatā€™s flipping cool! But wait. What do you do with it?ā€ Answer: I use it to blow ā€˜Normalā€™ out of the water.


The first schools for teachers were called ā€œnormal colleges.ā€ Fitting, then, that I earned my doctorate at Illinois State Universityā€¦ in Normal, Illinois. The irony isnā€™t lost on me. But hereā€™s the truth: Normal teaching isnā€™t good enough.


For over 30 years, Iā€™ve taught ages 3 to 83 across K-12, higher ed, corporate training, non-profit, and community programs. Iā€™ve been a curriculum designer, adjunct, teacher, career counselor, instructional designer, test scorer (donā€™t ask), academic accreditor, and more. Through it all, one thing became clearā€”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, letā€™s defy normal and chart a new course.




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

Course schedule

4 days: ~ 8 hours

  • Monday

    1 hour

    In the online course:

    • Complete orientation
    • Introduce yourself
  • Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday

    1hr pre-work, Live Session 4:30 ā€“ 6 pm

    Pre-work in the online course:

    • Engage learning materials
    • Complete learning activities


    1.5 hr live session:

    • Rank your needs
    • Form your framework
    • Apply the assessment tools
    • Collaborate on case studies
    • Create your introduction activity
    • Share and receive feedback
  • 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.

Learning is better with cohorts

Learning is better with cohorts

Active hands-on learning

This course builds on live workshops and hands-on projects

Interactive and project-based

Youā€™ll 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

Frequently Asked Questions

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