Icebreaker Activities & Rapport Building for Instructors

1. Which communication approach best handles student disagreement or conflict?

Listening without judgment and seeking to understand different perspectives

Immediately dismissing opposing viewpoints

Punishing students for speaking up

Avoiding any discussion of controversial topics

2. True or False: An instructor can build credibility by admitting when they don't know the answer to a student question and committing to find out.

True

False

Submit

6. What role does cultural sensitivity play in designing icebreaker activities?

Essential—activities should respect diverse backgrounds and comfort levels

Irrelevant to icebreaker effectiveness

Only important for international students

Should be ignored to maintain uniformity

7. How can an instructor establish credibility regarding subject matter expertise?

Demonstrating knowledge, admitting limitations, and showing enthusiasm for the discipline

Never asking questions or showing uncertainty

Using overly complex jargon to impress students

Avoiding any discussion of real-world applications

8. Which icebreaker format works best for large college lecture halls?

Small-group or think-pair-share activities that don't require everyone to speak

Requiring every student to introduce themselves individually

Skipping icebreakers entirely due to class size

One-on-one conversations with each student

9. What is the relationship between instructor authenticity and rapport?

Authentic instructors build stronger rapport because students perceive them as genuine

Authenticity is irrelevant to the instructor-student relationship

Instructors should always maintain a formal persona

Authenticity decreases professional credibility

10. How does an instructor's tone of voice impact student perception of credibility?

A calm, clear tone conveys confidence and builds trust

Tone has no effect on credibility

A harsh, rushed tone demonstrates expertise

Monotone delivery is most effective for engagement

11. Which of the following best defines rapport in an educational setting?

A mutual understanding and trust between instructor and students

The ability to deliver content quickly and efficiently

Strict adherence to classroom policies and procedures

The number of students enrolled in a course

12. What is a potential drawback of icebreakers that are too lengthy or complex?

Students may feel frustrated or uncomfortable rather than at ease

The instructor will gain too much credibility

Students will learn too much about each other

Class time will be used too efficiently

13. How can an instructor demonstrate consistency to build credibility?

Following through on promises and maintaining predictable classroom norms

Changing grading criteria frequently

Being unpredictable to keep students engaged

Ignoring syllabus guidelines when convenient

14. Which of the following is an effective nonverbal communication strategy for building rapport?

Smiling, nodding, and positioning yourself to face students

Standing with arms crossed and avoiding eye contact

Texting on your phone during class discussion

Sitting behind a desk for the entire session

15. What is the primary purpose of using name games in icebreakers?

To help the instructor and peers learn names while building comfort

To embarrass shy students

To assess student memory capacity

To fill class time without educational value

16. How does vulnerability on the instructor's part affect classroom rapport?

It humanizes the instructor and encourages student openness

It undermines instructor authority and credibility

It has no impact on the learning environment

It should be avoided in all professional settings

17. Which communication technique most effectively demonstrates active listening?

Paraphrasing student comments and maintaining eye contact

Interrupting to provide immediate corrections

Checking email while students speak

Asking students to repeat themselves multiple times

18. What is a key benefit of using pair-share icebreakers?

Students feel less pressure than speaking to the entire class

The instructor can avoid learning student names

It eliminates the need for group work later in the semester

It ensures all students will perform well on exams

19. An instructor's credibility is primarily built through which combination of factors?

Knowledge, preparation, and authentic engagement with students

Physical appearance and speaking volume

Course difficulty and strict grading

Years of experience alone

20. Why are icebreaker activities important on the first day of class?

They reduce anxiety and create a welcoming atmosphere

They are required by institutional policy

They take up time so less content must be taught

They determine final grades for students

CTT+ Icebreaker Activities for Building Rapport Quiz