Symbol Badges

'''Abstract''': The trainer prepares stickers to be affixed to the back of trainees’ name tags, that are used to break into smaller groups for practice, discussion, etc.

'''Overview''': Breaking down into smaller groups is a common part of training, and this provides a structured way to do so. It also ensures that trainees interact with a variety of others, rather than always practicing and talking with the same partners.

'''Guidelines''': Prepare stickers that can be affixed to the back of trainee nametags. Each sticker contains a different combination of symbols. One sticker could contain symbol that are used to break into groups of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc. Each symbol should have the same number of variations as the number of different groups (not the number of participants in each group). For example, if you have a total of 40 participants:

Use card symbols (heart, diamond, spade, club) to divide into 4 groups of 10
Use ten numbers or letters to break into 10 groups of 4.
Use five shapes (circle, square, triangle, cross, star) to break into 5 groups of 8
Use six colors to break into 6 groups of 6 or 7.

Example: One sticker might read: G (heart) (triangle) X
This person would go with group G for groups of 4, with the heart group for groups of 10, with the triangle group for groups of 8, and with the red group for groups of 6. [The X above is colored red]

'''Notes''':
Get comfortable with using the symbols. Have a little sticker or note for yourself that says:
Ten groups of 4: Letters
Four groups of 10: Cards
Six groups of 6-7: Colors etc.
When making the stickers, the easiest way to do it is to start with the first person-sticker each time and rotate through each symbol. A word processing program is a handy way to make such stickers.

Thanks to: Bill Miller.