Activity Summary

Shipwrecked is a simulation activity that is ideal for developing, practicing, and assessing communication and teamwork skills. The premise of the simulation is that 4-5 individuals have been shipwrecked on an island. Each team member has their own character profile with information; however, not all the information is reliable or accurate. As the activity progresses, the team must make decisions about how they will travel around the island, what tools and materials they need to survive, and how to escape from the island. The simulation is “low-tech,” and it requires some paper-based materials, group work space, and approximately one hour to complete.

Notes

This activity works particularly well to gauge a group's ability to work together toward a common goal. Each individual has different information in their profiles, some of it correct and some of it incorrect or incomplete. Only through communication with each group member can the group survive their Shipwrecked! scenario. The facilitator should assign groups and profiles before the activity begins. For populations who may be impulsive (e.g. teenage learners), it is recommended that the facilitator impose a 10 minute reading and discussion period before the participants may ask for their first map piece (besides piece "S"). The facilitator will keep all map pieces at the front of the room, and a runner from each group should come to request the map pieces (this is simply a function of making sure the facilitator doesn't get too worn out). Groups may only request one map piece at a time. They must also request items (e.g. ropes, spears) when they are earned, otherwise they do not possess them. Finally, it may be tempting for the facilitator to answer questions, but one of the important points of this activity is for participants to experience and confront ambiguity. The facilitator will have to decide where to draw the line depending on the group. 

Please see "Best Practices" Info Sheet for Facilitators. If this activity is being facilitated for non-native English speakers, it is recommended to provide participants with the Scenario hand out and profile hand outs in advance.