Tanagram Redux
I haven't used it but was about to, did all the prep, etc. But maybe my reasons for not using it might also be useful. It did seem great initially.
The main pragmatic reason was time constraint because I needed an hour for it to be effective. I was going to do this for our accelerated-MBA orientation and time was limited. In addition, the more I read into it, I was tentative about doing this without trying it out first. I heard stories of it flopping and that a lot depends on how you facilitate it, set expectations, de-brief, etc. I still do hope to use it in the future, but would want to test out in a more safe environment (e.g., a semester long class with undergrads or something).
Dear Susan,
I have used this successfully for my MBA students. I am pasting below some references that might be useful reading for you.
· Anno, Mitsumasa. Anno's Math Games (three volumes). New York: Philomel Books, 1987. ISBN 0399211519 (v. 1),ISBN 0698116720 (v. 2), ISBN 039922274X (v. 3).
· Botermans, Jack, et al. The World of Games: Their Origins and History, How to Play Them, and How to Make Them(translation of Wereld vol spelletjes). New York: Facts on File, 1989. ISBN 0816021848.
· Dudeney, H. E. Amusements in Mathematics. New York: Dover Publications, 1958.
· Gardner, Martin. "Mathematical Games-on the Fanciful History and the Creative Challenges of the Puzzle Game of Tangrams", Scientific American Aug. 1974, p. 98–103.
· Gardner, Martin. "More on Tangrams", Scientific American Sep. 1974, p. 187–191.
· Gardner, Martin. The 2nd Scientific American Book of Mathematical Puzzles and Diversions. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1961. ISBN 0671245597.
· Loyd, Sam. Sam Loyd's Book of Tangram Puzzles (The 8th Book of Tan Part I). Mineola, New York: Dover Publications, 1968.
· Slocum, Jerry, et al. Puzzles of Old and New: How to Make and Solve Them. De Meern, Netherlands: Plenary Publications International (Europe); Amsterdam, Netherlands: ADM International; Seattle: Distributed by University of Washington Press, 1986. ISBN 0295963506.
· Slocum, Jerry, et al. The Tangram Book: The Story of the Chinese Puzzle with Over 2000 Puzzles to Solve. New York: Sterling Publishing Company, 2003. ISBN 1-4027-0413-5.
With regards,
I play around with the times, so there is a 30 minute version, 35 minute, I even have a 20 minute version (not included here, but you can.)
I have a set of wooden puzzles... but you can copy the template onto heavy card stock to make it, just make sure to OMIT the middle section, and scribble with marker on the back so you can distinguish the back from the front. Then the management side also gets a copy of the template on regular paper.
So I've been using Tanagram for years, and like it, but lately other things have crowded it out of my course just because it's a short weekend. The students love this thing, and it's fun for me too! Attached are the instructions and the template to cut out, as well as some slides. These materials are originally from Kellogg, and I got them second-hand, fyi with no instructions about royalty payments. When cutting up the template, make sure that the little white square in the middle gets thrown away, and not put in the envelope by accident. You have to watch the groups carefully to enforce the communication rules. If they seem to be skirting the rules, I put an asterisk next to their time on the board and say that it's like Barry Bond's home run record. I stop the remaining groups after about 10-15 minutes if they haven't finished and look like they have no hope.
Sue,
Not sure if you have found any instructions yet, but I did find a couple of potential resources online so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. If you come up with anything better, please send that along. I've attached two documents.
Best,
http://www.hrdpress.com/The-Strategic-Leadership-Game-SLTITG
http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1118089448.html
http://home.snu.edu/~jsmith/library/body/v18toc.pdf (this is the table of contents. Tangram activity is on p. 455.
Hi Sue,
I have used a similar activity called Broken Squares in my MBA classes. There is a book available that explains the exercise, but I find that the attached document is enough to run it effectively.
http://spice.stanford.edu/catalog/broken_squares_a_simulation_exploring_cooperation_and_competition/
Hi Sue,
I don't know if it is any help at all but if you need to buy them, they are available at the Dollar store for a dollar apiece.