Cross the Field

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Practice moving digital board tokens while learning common experiences among group members.

Use it when: Use at the start of a virtual or hybrid session to verify digital whiteboard access and basic object-moving skills.

Skip it when: Skip when participants lack individual screens or when technical setup time is unavailable before the meeting.

Group arrangement: Whole group on a single shared board layout

Timing: UWT suggested duration fits 8 to 12 rapid rounds plus onboarding and a brief debrief.

Materials and tools

• One shared online whiteboard (e.g., Miro, Mural, or Limnu) with edit access for all participants
• Digital board layout containing N minus 1 outer circle target spots and 1 center spot (where N is participant count)
• N named digital tokens or sticky notes, one for each participant

Before participants arrive

1. Draw an outer ring of circle spots equal to the number of participants minus one.
2. Draw one circle spot in the center.
3. Create a colored token or sticky note for each participant and place their names on them.
4. Place one token in the center and the rest on the outer perimeter spots.
5. Confirm every attendee has board edit permissions before the clock starts.

Say this to open

Welcome to Cross the Field. We have a ring of spots on our shared board and one spot in the center. Each of you has a named token. The person in the center asks a yes-or-no question that is true for themselves. If your honest answer is also yes, move your token across the circle to any vacant spot. The person in the middle also tries to claim an outer spot. Whoever is left without an outer spot takes the center for the next round.

How to run it

1. Claim tokens and test movement 3 minutes

   Direct everyone to find their named token on the board. Have each person drag their token back and forth once to confirm mouse or trackpad control. If someone has technical trouble, assign a board buddy or have the facilitator move tokens on their verbal cue.

2. Demonstrate the first round 2 minutes

   Facilitator starts in the center spot. Model a prompt: 'I have traveled to another country by train.' Facilitator and all participants who answer yes drag their tokens to newly opened outer spots. The participant whose token remains unseated moves into the center spot.

3. Run exchange rounds 7 minutes

   The player in the middle asks a new yes-or-no question that is true for themselves. All yes-responders, plus the center player, must move their tokens to an open spot across the circle. They cannot stay in their current spot. Run 6 to 10 rounds at a brisk pace. Stop after 7 minutes or when everyone who wants a turn in the center has had one.

4. Debrief tool usability and patterns 3 minutes

   Ask 2 brief reflection questions to the whole room. Take 2 or 3 quick volunteer responses.

Debrief questions

• What did you learn about moving objects on this whiteboard that will help later today?
• Which prompt revealed a shared experience you did not expect?

Finished output: A shared board where all participants have demonstrated the ability to locate, select, and drag digital tokens.

Remote

Run entirely on the shared digital whiteboard while connected on video or audio conference. The person in the middle speaks their statement aloud or types it into video chat.

Hybrid

In-person attendees use laptops or tablets to access the same digital whiteboard as remote attendees. Avoid moving physical chairs so remote and in-room participants play on equal terms.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may pass on moving their token without explaining why.
• Participants with motor-control barriers may call out 'Yes' and have the facilitator move their token to an available spot.
• Prompts must remain professional and low-stakes; participants may decline to answer personal topics.

If the session gets stuck

Two tokens land on the same outer circle spot.

First token to touch the border claims it. The other player must quickly drag to another open spot or take the center.

A participant cannot access or edit the whiteboard.

Designate the facilitator or a peer partner to move that participant's token whenever they type 'Yes' in the meeting chat.

Terms used here

• Token: A small digital shape or sticky note labeled with a person's name that can be dragged across the screen.