Here is a fast-paced game for reviewing factual content related to product-knowledge.
Participants
6 to 25. Best game is for 12 to 25 participants, organized into groups of four or five.
Time
5 - 30 minutes.
Handouts
Reading Materials. Handouts, brochures, booklets, reprints, or manuals that contain the training content.
Question Cards. You need 20 –100 different question cards, each with a different number. Each card contains a question that requires a short answer about some aspect of the training content. Prepare a duplicate packet of Question Cards for each group of players.
Answer Sheet. To prepare this handout, type the question numbers and the correct answers for each question. Prepare a copy of this sheet for each group of players.
Game Instructions. Make one copy of the handout, How To Play 2-Minute Drill for each participant.
Supplies
Timer
Whistle
Flow
Distribute copies of reading materials. Explain that you will conduct a review game with questions related to the content and encourage the participants to study the materials carefully. Depending on their length and complexity, you may distribute the materials several days before the training session as self-study assignment or set up 15 minutes of study time just before the play of the game.
Demonstrate the play of the game. Distribute copies of How To Play 2-Minute Drill to each participant. Pause while the participants read the instructions. Then, ask for three or four volunteers to come to the front of the room. Explain that you will be the Game Master and demonstrate the play of the game. Invite the players to follow along by referring to the instruction sheet as they watch the game in progress. At the end of the 2-minute demonstration, point out that every member of each group will have a turn to be the Game Master.
Organize groups. Divide participants into two to five groups, each with three to five players. It does not matter if some teams have an extra participant. Explain that the players in each group compete with the other members of the same group.
Distribute cards. In each group, select a player to be the first Game Master. Give a question packet to the Game Masters.
Begin the first round. Start the timer and blow the whistle. Ask Game Masters to conduct the game with their group.
Conclude the first round. At the end of 2 minutes, blow the whistle and ask players to stop. Instruct each player to count the number of Question Cards that were correctly answered. This is the player’s score for the first round.
Conduct the second round. Ask the Game Masters to collect the cards, shuffle them, and give them to the new Game Master (the person seated to the left of the previous Game Master). Conduct the game as before.
Repeat the procedure. Continue playing additional rounds of the game until every member of each group has had a turn at being the Game Master.
Conclude the game. After the final round, identify the player (or players) with the highest total score in each group. Congratulate these players as the winners.
Game Instructions
How To Play 2-Minute Drill
Object of the game. To answer as many questions rapidly and accurately as possible during 2-minute rounds of play.
Instructions to Players
Receive a card. When the facilitator blows the whistle, the Game Master will give you a question card.
Answer the question. As soon as possible, yell out the card number and the answer. If you don't know the answer, make an educated guess.
Replace the Question Card. Wait for the Game Master to repeat your card number and tell whether your answer is correct or not. If the Game Master says that your answer is correct, place the Question Card in front of you. If the Game Master says your answer is incorrect, give the card back to Game Master. In either case, get another Question Card from the Game Master.
Continue playing. Repeat the process, trying to give as many correct answers as possible within the 2-minute period. When the Game Master stops the round, count the number of cards that you correctly answered. This is your score for the round.
Play the next round. The game will be repeated for several 2-minute rounds. Use the same procedure during each round, except during the round when you are the Game Master.
Instructions to Game Masters
Get ready. Get a deck of Question Cards from the facilitator. Also get a copy of the Answer Sheet.
Begin the round. Wait for the facilitator to blow the whistle. Immediately give each player a Question Card.
Listen for answers. In a little while, the players will begin yelling out card numbers and answers. Since they will not be taking turns, this will be a chaotic activity.
Give feedback to players. Check your Answer Sheet for the card number that you heard first. If the player’s answer is correct, say “Correct!” and give the player a new card. The player will place the correctly answered card in front of her. If the player’s answer is incorrect, give the correct answer, and take the Question Card back from the player. Place the incorrectly answered card at the bottom of the packet and give another Question Card to the player.
Do several things at the same time. Keep track of the numbers and answers yelled out by players. Call out the next number that you heard and give appropriate feedback. Repeat the process.
Conclude the round. Keep repeating the process until the facilitator blows the whistle again. Ask each player to count the correctly answered cards to determine the score for this round. Collect all the cards, place them at the bottom of the packet, and give the deck to the next Game Master. Also give the new Game Master the Answer Sheet.