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Chapter 993 min read

Speed Networking

By Vivek M Agarwal•About the Author

Activity illustration

At a Glance

  • Time: 8-12 minutes
  • Prep: None
  • Group: Pairs (constantly rotating)
  • Setting: Requires space for two lines facing each other
  • Subjects: Universal - works for any topic
  • Energy: Very High

Purpose

Speed Networking (similar to Concentric Circles but in lines) creates rapid-fire conversations where students meet many peers in quick succession. Each pairing gets 60-90 seconds to discuss a prompt before rotating to a new partner. Use this for review, sharing perspectives, or building classroom community through multiple short interactions.

How It Works

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. FORM TWO LINES (30 seconds) - Half the class forms Line A facing the room. Other half forms Line B facing Line A. Each person faces a partner.

  2. POSE PROMPT (10 seconds) - Give a discussion question or topic.

  3. DISCUSS (60-90 seconds) - Partners discuss the prompt.

  4. ROTATE (10 seconds) - One line stays put, the other shifts down one person. Everyone has a new partner.

  5. NEW PROMPT (10 seconds) - Give the same or a new prompt.

  6. REPEAT - Continue for 5-8 rotations.

  7. DEBRIEF (1-2 minutes) - Reflect on what was learned through multiple conversations.

What to Say

Setup: "Count off 1-2. Ones, form a line along this wall facing inward. Twos, form a line facing the ones. You should each be looking at a partner."

First Prompt: "Prompt: [QUESTION]. You each have 30 seconds to share your thoughts. Line A, you start. Go."

Rotation: "Stop. Line B, shift to your right one person. Line A stays put. Everyone has a new partner. New prompt: [QUESTION]. Line B starts this time. Go."

Continue: "Rotate again—Line B shift right."

Why It Works

Speed Networking creates energy, ensures everyone speaks to multiple people, and provides distributed practice with concepts through repeated articulation to different audiences.

Teacher Tip

Use a visible/audible timer and enforce strict time limits. The speed creates positive pressure that keeps energy high and prevents overthinking.

Variations

For Different Subjects

  • Review: Each rotation covers a different concept from the unit.
  • Perspective-Building: Each rotation explores the same issue from a different stakeholder's view.

For Different Settings

  • Online: Breakout rooms manually reassigned after each 90-second round.

Online Adaptation

Tools: Zoom breakout rooms Process: Manually reassign pairs every 90 seconds

Troubleshooting

Challenge: Lines get misaligned after multiple rotations. Solution: Pause and re-form the lines. Or have rotating line move two people instead of one.

Extension Ideas

  • Deepen: Final rotation asks: "What's the most interesting idea you heard from any of your previous partners?"

Related Activities: Concentric Circles, Pair-Share-Repeat