This online version of the Colourblind® game develops effective communication and team building skills and helps virtual teams recognise problems caused with imprecise communication and language. It is a verbal problem solving experiential learning activity that is used to improve communication & active listening skills, and is played in a small group.

The activity can be facilitated using any simple online meeting software such as Zoom, MS Teams, Google Meet etc., with video cameras switched on or off to ensure total dependence upon the quality of the Group’s verbal communication. The group works together to gather information that will allow them to solve a puzzle. A number of team and individual skills are required to be successful: information and group management, effective listening and questioning, strong chairing skills, the ability to clarify and summarise and the need for feedback to ensure understanding.

Colourblind® is RSVP Design's most popular physical experiential learning activity used internationally and among world leading organisations for over 30 years, and this updated version for virtual teams allows it to be used to address challenges in virtual and mixed teams more commonly operating today. The activity is deployed on RSVP Design’s custom platform at experientiallearningtools.com You can click on the link on the right to view a video on using Colourblind® (online version) on the platform.

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Learning Objective

Develop effective communication, team building, and problem solving skills
Set up and manage an effective communication system that everyone understands and can use efficiently
Develop a dialogue which will lead to a common understanding of abstract concepts
Deliver a successful solution to the problem
To consider how to improve both communication systems and the quality of the messages which those systems support
To practise effective listening and refine questioning skills
To develop flexibility in communication skills, changing and adapting language to meet the needs of others
To understand communication is culturally specific
Ensure shared references are used to achieve common meaning

FAQ's

The activity itself is simple to brief: Virtual Teams of ideally 6 - 14 members gather and share knowledge to identify two coloured abstract shapes that are missing from a complete set.

The communication processes involved are much more complex and take participants through increasingly sophisticated patterns of active listening until the task is achieved.
Individuals draw on their experience and descriptive skills to explain to each other abstract shapes that they can see on their screens, but cannot share with the others. They use feedback and clarification skills to ensure that their understanding is accurate.
Those familiar with the physical version of Colourblind® can expect this digital version to be a similar level of challenge and take a similar amount of time to the physical version.
Learn more about the Colourblind® (online version) on the ELT platform.

Origin
The original, physical Colourblind® product game was developed in 1991 when our colleague, Dr.Geoff Cox, designed and delivered the first week of an induction training programme for Air Traffic Control cadets. Each cadet faced an intensive, demanding training programme in which teamwork and communication skills would be fundamental to success. Each, ultimately, would accept professional responsibilities which allow absolutely no margin for communication error, misunderstanding or ambiguity. Colourblind® enabled participants to rehearse every communication skill which Air Traffic Controllers need and to highlight the problems and pitfalls which communication breakdown inevitably brings when there is no visual common ground. Since 1991 Colourblind® has been used worldwide across languages, cultures and business backgrounds, to focus on the fundamental skills of great communication and active listening.

What's Included

Access via the custom developed online Experiential Learning Tools Platform

Two annual user licences with online facilitator guidance, including:

information and video instruction on setting up the activity and inviting delegates
information and video instruction on operating the activity and facilitating learning for the group
suggestions for reviewing the learning

Online access to each of the 30 x Colourblind® shape images that are shared with the participants.

Automated selection of appropriate shape distribution, sent via email to participants, for each user group size. Backup individual links can be copied and shared via messaging or private email distribution.

Unlimited use of the activity within the 12 month licence term from the date of purchase, and use of all materials included for up to two simultaneous learner groups of up to 14 x participants each (the ideal maximum size of learner group).

The ability to add a second trainer to manage up to two groups.

Additional learner groups using the activity at the same time, or additional trainer registrations will require additional user licences. Please contact [email protected] for details.

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