The Shoebox activity: a powerful tool for learning

Abstract

This article explores an activity that has been used in many different training contexts from Initial Teacher Training (ITT), Advanced Learning Coach (ALC) training through to different ‘in–house’ training sessions and explains how it has been adapted by other teachers for their own contexts and how the learners themselves experience it. The activity is explained in practice and then linked to the theory of reflective practice to show how it can support and extend learners’ thinking about themselves, their different roles and their individual teaching. Different perspectives have been drawn on as reflections on the activity and the work includes both tutor and learner comments about undertaking the activity. Their contributions together with personal reflections show the power of the idea from a simple icebreaker to something more profound that contributes to personal development and learning.