Debrief

Debriefing/Processing Information

The processing/debriefing portion of the Team Building experience connects the briefing and activity components of the program in such a way to make the experience a meaningful one. To provide an experience consisting of only activities without the opportunity to learn, reflect and discuss would me metaphorically synonymous to providing bricks with no mortar or building plans! Processing/debriefing provides shape and meaning to the Team Building experience. The process provides an opportunity for individuals and the group to clarify their strengths, self-understanding, understanding of others and to enhance skills related to problem solving, communication, risk taking, listening, goal setting, feedback and transferring the learning to settings outside the Team Building experience.

Processing/debriefing is a time for participants to reflect on their experiences, recognize learning that has taken place, and evaluate learning and its place in future experiences. It is designed to address all types of learning, including cognitive (knowledge), psycho-motor (skills) and affective (feelings). It needs to be action oriented otherwise it may turn into an opportunity to “check out” instead of learn! It is not a time to be lectured or told what has just been experienced, but a time for the group to engage in discussing their experience in a way that is meaningful to them. The challenge of the facilitator, in a nutshell, is to enhance, lead, or structure the processing/debriefing so as to maximize the opportunity to attain the necessary learning and awareness. Sound simple? It is …NOT!

Treating the processing/debriefing experience as an initiative is a way of keeping it action-oriented in your mindset as facilitator. Some components of an initiative that relate to the Processing/Debriefing are: (Schoel, Prouty, and Radcliffe, 1988)

  • Everyone participates at their level of 100%

  • The Full Value Contract is in effect

  • The leader provides structure for the activity, but relies on the group to provide the solution

  • The group focuses the experience to achieve positive outcomes

  • The group focuses on issues that it is able to handle

  • Group and individual issues are viewed as problems to be resolved

Debrief/Processing Questions

This list of questions can be a helpful guide when creating much needed connections between a given activity and the Leander ISD Graduate Profile (GP) and Ethical Principles (EP). The order of questions is not indicative of the order in which the questions should be asked. Feel free to tailor the level/phrasing of the questions for your particular age group.


1. Give an example of when you thought you (or someone else) communicated effectively with someone else in the group. (verbal and/or non-verbal)

*GP: to be an effective communicator

*EP: Respect for others


2. Who didn't understand someone's attempt to communicate? What went wrong in the communication attempt?

*GP: listens attentively and critically for a variety of purposes

*EP: Respect for others


3. What could the communicator (or any person) do differently next time to give a clearer message?

*GP: uses effective speaking strategies for a variety of purposes and settings

*EP: Pursuit of Excellence


4. How (if at all) did your group think through the problem before going into action?

*GP: uses critical and creative thinking to solve problems

*EP: Law-abidance/Civic duty


5. What is the BEST way for this group to make a decision together?

*GP: demonstrates interpersonal skills needed to work effectively in teams

*EP: Fairness


6. On a scale of 1-10, how did the group cooperate (in completing the game/activity, etc.?)

*GP: participates in the democratic process

*EP: Concern for others


7. What are some specific examples of when your group cooperated in completing this task?

*GP: demonstrates interpersonal skills needed to work effectively in teams

*EP: Accountability


8. How did this game/activity show that being academically prepared is important?

*GP: to be academically prepared

*EP: Pursuit of Excellence


9. Was there a leader in the group? If so, who? If not, how come?

*GP: actively contributes to community

*EP: Accountability/Pursuit of Excellence


10. Is a leader always necessary to get something done? Why or why not?

*GP: identifies the rights and obligations of citizens

*EP: Fairness


11. How does an “effective” leader lead? Do they always need to tell others what to do in order to lead?

*GP: demonstrates interpersonal skills needed to work effectively in teams/lead in community

*EP: Integrity


12. How are you like some of the others in this group?

*GP: fosters personal health and self-esteem

*EP: Fairness


13. How are these similarities a help in completing your task? How are these similarities a hindrance in completing the task?

*GP: demonstrates interpersonal skills needed to work effectively in teams

*EP: Respect for others


14. What other things could you have in common with some of the group members that you haven't found out yet?

*GP: uses critical and creative thinking to solve problems

*EP: Respect for others


15. How did honesty play a part in this activity being successful?

*GP: makes and evaluates decisions based on ethical principles

*EP: Honesty/Accountability


16. Who generally appreciated yourself and some of the others in the group? Please give examples of how someone else helped you during the activity.

*GP: understands the obligations of citizens

*EP: Respect for others


17. Would anyone want to appreciate some of the members of the group now?

*GP: demonstrates interpersonal skills needed to work effectively in teams

*EP: Concern for others


18. What did you do in the group that deserves appreciation?

*GP: fosters personal health and self-esteem

*EP: Accountability


19. How many of you thought that you gave your best during this activity? How do you know when you've given your best?

*GP: applies the self management skill of continuous improvement

*EP: Pursuit of excellence


20. When playing this game, how many of you thought you obeyed the rules/guidelines? How do you know?

*GP: makes and evaluates decisions based on ethical principles

*EP: Law abidance/Honesty/Accountability