Chiji Processing Cards

• Reflecting on task achievement
• Communicate effectively to ensure collective understanding & clarity
• 'Safely' discussing sensitive / difficult topics through metaphors
• Initiating discussions and debates
• Promoting expression of thoughts and feelings
• Reviewing & providing feedback
• Cultural & diversity awareness
• Personal or organisational reflection / future planning
• Understanding outcomes from the activity and how this learning may be applied in future

The Meaning of Chiji     

Chiji is a Chinese word meaning "significant moment" or “turning point.”  It is an event that changes a person’s life, and whether that change is for the better or for the worse depends on the individual’s readiness and willingness to learn from the experience. Chi literally means "key," suggesting that if a person has the key, then the significant moment can be used to open the door to new and valuable opportunities.

While the chances of a significant moment or turning point from participation in an experiential learning activity may be rare, these cards offer an opportunity for a facilitator to help each learner reflect on the activity and go through the full Kolb Learning Cycle to unpack learning from it, and determine how it might be applied in the future.

While experienced facilitators will be able to find ways to use these cards as openers, or icebreakers to help participants focus on objectives, or have them focus and reflect on particular aspects or issues within a programme, an inexperienced facilitator can use them immediately:

At the end of any activity, spread the cards face up and ask participants: ‘Pick one or two cards that, for any reason, describe your feelings, thoughts or emotions from participating in this activity.’ The use of metaphor makes it easier for participants to articulate an insight they can share with the group, practicing their reflection skills, and potentially leading to improved insights for the group and each participant.

Chiji Processing Cards contain images and metaphors  which help people to think about and explain ideas, feelings or opinions. They can be used by a facilitator with a group or in one-to-one sessions. 

The main suggested review/processing question after an activity is:

Pick one or two cards, that for any reason, describe your thoughts,feelings, or emotions from (today’s/that) activity. In a minute or two I will ask you to explain why you chose your cards. Your feelings, thoughts or emotions can be personal, or they may be about the group. They may be about today, or a memory of another time that was brought by today’s activity (ies). I don’t care what you want to talk about, but I do want you to pick an insight that you are willing to share with the group.

Each use of the Chiji cards should be preceded by the creation of a series of carefully worded review questions that you can use along with the cards to move the group/individuals towards the learning objectives that you have designed the activity/program against. Your questions will be typically more specific than the example provided in the deck.

Our view of experiential learning tools, processes and activities are that they are structured experiences that allow learners to draw their own learning from being involved in something that is intended to direct them to think. In the words of Alexandra K. Trenfor, it is a method of supporting learning adopted by great teachers, who “show you where to look but don't tell you what to see.”

The experiential learning cycle involves four stages: experience, reflection, conceptualization and application. The words used in eaplaining this cyclet may differ but the learning process remains the same. In practical terms, this means having an experience, noticing what happens and thinking about it, making some personal sense and meaning from it and then using that new understanding to try out or test the learning in a new context. The cycle then repeats!

In our opinion, some trainers focus too much on the provision of the experience and not enough on the next three steps. The process of de-briefing/activity review is vital in ensuring that the cycle is completed and the learning is translated into practical actions or behavioural changes that can be integrated into future experience.

Chiji cards are designed to raise the quality of the de-brief or review.

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