Icebreakers can help the instructor set up the students for success. I usually give an assignment where there are no wrong answers. Its an ehtical decision assignment that lets me know how the students think and what they value.
The assignment is the one with 5 people standing on a bus, each with some reason you should or could give up your own seat for. Students give a good reason for why they choose one person over the other and they always give away the vlaue system from whch they were brought up.
