
The Blind Man and the Guide
Social
Author: Aleix Barrera, Diego Castro & David Rodriguez-Gomez
Facilitated by the teacher

The aim is to increase confidence and communication among team members.

20-30 mins

16 students

Whiteboard & blindfold

Steps
- The teacher pairs students together. One of the students is blindfolded and the other student acts as a guide. The guide helps the blindfolded student walk round the room avoiding any obstacles. After 5 minutes, the roles are reversed and the experience is repeated.
- The students reflect on the activity and take note of their points. They could use the following as a prompt "I have discovered ...".
- The teacher should suggest the following to help the students:
- Did the guide inspire confidence by the firmness of their voice or by the clarity of their indications?
- Did the guide give incorrect instructions?
- What do we feel when we are guiding someone else - responsibility, affection, nothing special, protective instinct?
- How do you feel being guided? Like a toy at the mercy of the guide? Like a younger brother? Like a well-treated guest, but with a certain coldness?
- The teacher brings the students together to discuss the responses and to identify the degree of trust existing among the members of the group.

Reflection
This is a well-known and traditional activity in Social Education.

Inspiration