Source: Created by Mallory Davis, and Brooks Yelton – adapted from previous experiences; Included: https://www.themuse.com/advice/taking-constructive-criticism-like-a-champ
Materials:
o markers
o copy paper
o sticky notes -or- dry erase board/markers
Population: Activity is designed to assist individuals with giving and receiving constructive criticism in a small group. This particular exercise is appropriate for all ages but can be valued most by those developing into a working professional. There will be options available for the drawing in case one cannot relate to a certain prompt.
Activity Description: This fast-paced closing activity allows classmates to practice giving and receiving constructive feedback. All members of the group will participate in a drawing exercise that is then critiqued in two different ways by their classmates. The first layer of critique involves group selection of the “best” artwork, based on the highest number of “votes”. Since students have a short period of time to vote, they must make their selection based on initial impressions. Once selected, the classmates then practice being the supervisors, working out how to give constructive criticism or analyze ways in which their positive feedback can still be helpful. Some students will have to grapple with providing positive feedback to an artwork that they did not vote for on first impression, while others may have to find constructive suggestions for improvement of their favorite pieces. The student being critiqued will practice accepting or seeking clarification regarding that feedback, and all members will process and engage in a “supervisory” discussion.
Instructions: Ask each student to draw WHAT using their marker of choice (3 min). The artworks will be hung on the board, and students will then be given only a minute to vote for their favorite piece (1 min). Half of the class will be given to role of positive reviewer, and the other half will be given the role of constructive (less positive) reviewer. Each student will then have 1 minute each to give their feedback, to which the person responding to the criticism can either ask for clarification or express appreciation (11 min). Helpful hints for accepting critique (see above source) will be written on the board for reference.