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Exercises/Reflection and Learning/History Map
Collaborative Story Building · Reflection and Learning

History Map

History Map is a collaborative story building exercise for reflection and learning: it helps participants reflect on experience and turn observations into learning.

5 to 15 minutesTIME
Medium group (9-25), Small group (4-8)GROUP SIZE
ActiveENERGY
In person, RemoteSETTING
High cognitive loadCOGNITIVE LOAD
Strengthens Learning Transfer This reflection and learning exercise strengthens Learning Transfer, one of the eight Gathering Effectiveness pillars.

How to run it

  1. Ask questions to the group about the following, and build the history map by plotting their answers using text and images:
  2. Always be aware of the level of institutional memory in the meeting. If you’re running a game that would work better with experienced employees, include them.
  3. Draw major events on the map beforehand to use as conversation starters.
  4. . Ask questions to the group about the following, and build the history map by plotting their answers using text and images:
  5. Every individual will gain a shared idea of what the group has been through together.
  6. It’s also a great way to familiarize new people with an organization’s history and culture during periods of rapid growth.
  7. Ask questions to the group about the following, and build the history map by plotting their answers using text and images: Always be aware of the level of institutional memory in the meeting.
  8. CollaborationCollaboratively create agendas in real-time.
Live facilitator

Run this exercise live

The facilitator console stays in this browser. Its QR handoff is a short-lived participant snapshot containing only public exercise instructions, phase, prompt, and timer state.

Prompts to use +

Ask questions to the group about the following, and build the history map by plotting their answers using text and images:

Draw major events on the map beforehand to use as conversation starters.

. Ask questions to the group about the following, and build the history map by plotting their answers using text and images:

Ask questions to the group about the following, and build the history map by plotting their answers using text and images: Always be aware of the level of institutional memory in the meeting.

CollaborationCollaboratively create agendas in real-time.

Run this with your AI assistant +

Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or your own local model: paste this prompt and your AI will co-facilitate this exercise with you.

Adapt this exercise for my exact room. Exercise: History Map. Readiness: Publishable Draft. Core moves: Ask questions to the group about the following, and build the history map by plotting their answers using text and images:; Draw major events on the map beforehand to use as conversation starters.; . Ask questions to the group about the following, and build the history map by plotting their answers using text and images:; Ask questions to the group about the following, and build the history map by plotting their answers using text and images: Always be aware of the level of institutional memory in the meeting.. Return a concise facilitator script with timing, wording, safety notes, and remote/in-person adjustments.

Origin unverified

  • Where we observed it: The strongest current observations come from Gamestorming; aggregators are listed as additional observations, not origin proof. (2 sources observed, including Gamestorming, SessionLab.)
  • What that means: we track where an exercise has been observed in public sources. We do not claim to know who created it, or how popular it is.
  • No efficacy claims: appearing in this library is not a claim that the exercise is proven effective. Facilitator judgment and context decide whether it works for a given room.
  • Corrections: if you have evidence of an earlier or more accurate source, read our methodology and trust boundary and tell us.

Pairs well with