Beyond the Boring Icebreaker: 5 Tech-Fueled Ways to Build Real Relationships from Day One

By Jenna Krambeck-Reeh

As educators, we’ve all heard the myth that back-to-school engagement has to mean high-energy, loud icebreakers, or acting like an “edutainer” on stage. But true engagement isn’t about noise, it’s about connection. 

When we use technology intentionally at the start of the year, it shouldn’t just be tech for tech’s sake. It should be a bridge that lowers anxiety, amplifies student voice, and helps us get to know the unique human beings sitting in our classrooms.

Whether you’re connecting with kids in the classroom or welcoming back high school teachers, here are 5 tech-fueled, low-stakes activities to spark real connections during those crucial first weeks:

1. The Digital “Unboxing” Activity

• The Tech: Google Slides or Canva
• The Vibe: Creative, personal, and approachable
• How It Works: Instead of a traditional “About Me” worksheet, have students create a digital “unboxing” slide. They select 3–5 digital images or icons that represent their hobbies, hidden talents, or favorite memories, placing them inside a digital box outline. On sharing day, students “unbox” their items to introduce themselves to small groups or the whole class.

2. “Show Your Morning Routine” with Google AutoDraw

• The Tech: AutoDraw
• The Vibe: Low-anxiety visual storytelling
• How It Works: One big barrier to creative classroom activities is the fear of “not being an artist”. AutoDraw uses machine learning to convert rough doodles into clean icons. Challenge students to sketch their morning routine using only drawings. Afterwards, pair students up to compare routines and find at least two unexpected commonalities. It’s a fast, fun way to sandbox ideas without the fear of the blank page!

3. Interactive “Would You Rather” Snapshot Polls

• The Tech: Google Slides + Insert > Camera
• The Vibe: Visual, interactive, and high-participation
• How It Works: Post a series of playful “Would You Rather” prompts on a shared Google Slides deck. Instead of just raising hands, students snap a quick webcam photo pointing up or down to indicate their choice, paste it on the slide, and add a sentence in the speaker notes explaining their reasoning. It creates an instant visual mosaic of the class community!

4. Connection Prompts + Digital Dice

• The Tech: Digital Dice Roller + Shared Discussion Board
• The Vibe: Thoughtful check-ins and active listening
• How It Works: Ditch the standard weekend updates for deeper, low-stakes prompts (e.g., “What’s a simple joy you never get tired of?” or “What’s a small thing that made your week better?”). Roll a digital dice to pick the prompt for the day. To build active listening skills, have classmates listen to a peer’s response and guess which question was selected!

5. EduGems Custom Digital Trading Cards

• The Tech: EduGem Trading Card Generator / Canva Templates
• The Vibe: Playful self-expression
• How It Works: Give students the opportunity to design their own custom trading cards. They can customize their “stats” (e.g., favorite subjects, favorite games, or superpowers), write a short bio, and upload a portrait or avatar. Print them out for a classroom display or keep them digital for an interactive class directory.

Keep the Vibe Going!

Building relationships isn’t a one-and-done item on our back-to-school checklist. It’s a continuous practice of creating an environment where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to take creative risks.