Using ice-breakers to encourage classroom confidence

What is the idea? Many active learning techniques focus on students working together and discussing ideas in small groups. Yet many students, particularly in their first year at university, are extremely anxious about doing so, fearful of making mistakes and being judged by their peers. Instead of using an ice-breaker question once in the first week of term, this idea suggests tutors use one at the start of every session. Students are given a couple of minutes to chat in pairs about their responses to the question and then asked to share their answers with the rest of the group. This exercise works best in groups of 20 or less, where hearing all the responses is not too time-consuming.