Card Decks

Card decks bring interactive, game-like elements to your Kolab sessions. Use them for icebreakers, structured discussions, decision-making, and creative exercises.

What Are Card Decks?

Card decks are collections of digital cards placed on the canvas. Participants can:

• Navigate through cards one at a time
• Flip cards (if double-sided)
• View card content (text or images)
• Interact as a group with shared deck state

Think of them like a shared physical card deck that everyone can see.

How Card Decks Work

Deck Properties

When creating a card deck, you can configure:

Card Properties

Each card in a deck can have:

Creating a Card Deck

Building Your Deck

1. Add a Card Deck element to your canvas
2. Open the deck editor
3. Configure deck settings (randomized, discard pile, etc.)
4. Add cards one by one:
   • Set front content (text or image)
   • Optionally set back content for double-sided cards
   • Add as many cards as needed
5. Save the deck

Card Content Tips

Keep cards concise:

• "What energizes you at work?"
• "Share a recent win"

Balance difficulty:

• Include easy prompts (anyone can answer)
• Include deeper prompts (for meaningful discussion)
• Avoid anything too personal or uncomfortable

Deck Size Guidelines

Using Card Decks

Deck Controls

When interacting with a card deck on the canvas:

Who Can Control the Deck

• Locked decks: Only facilitators can navigate
• Unlocked decks: Any participant can navigate

Lock a deck if you want to control the pace. Unlock it for self-directed activities.

Activity Ideas

Icebreaker Prompts

Create cards with questions like:

• "What's your favorite way to spend a Saturday?"
• "Share a hidden talent"
• "What would your superpower be?"

Instructions to participants:

"I'll advance through the deck. When you see a prompt that resonates, unmute and share your answer."

Discussion Prompts

Create cards with discussion starters:

• "What's working well?"
• "What should we stop doing?"
• "What's one thing you'd change?"

Instructions:

"Draw a card and discuss in your small group for 3-4 minutes before moving to the next prompt."

Random Selection

Create cards with participant names or topics:

• Use for randomly selecting who goes next
• Assign topics or roles
• Fair selection for limited opportunities

Role Cards

Create cards for structured discussions:

• "Devil's Advocate"
• "Optimist"
• "Customer Voice"
• "Risk Manager"

Instructions:

"Draw a role card. During our discussion, argue from that perspective."

Facilitating Card Activities

Basic Card Flow

1. Demonstrate - Show how to advance/flip cards
2. Explain the rules - What participants do with each card
3. Manage timing - How long per card
4. Wrap up - What happens when deck is done

Timing Cards

Inclusivity Considerations

• Avoid prompts that assume specific experiences
• Provide "pass" option for uncomfortable prompts
• Don't require disclosure of personal information
• Make sure prompts work across cultures

Best Practices

Before the Session

• Test your deck - navigate through all cards
• Have more cards than you'll need
• Position deck visibly on canvas
• Lock deck if you want to control navigation

During the Session

• Demonstrate before asking participants to interact
• Watch for technical issues
• Keep energy up - cards should be engaging
• Have backup activity if something doesn't work

Troubleshooting

"Cards not advancing"

1. Click directly on the deck's advance control
2. Check if deck is locked (facilitator control only)
3. Refresh the page
4. Verify you have edit permissions on the board

"Same cards keep appearing"

• If deck is randomized, it reshuffles on "Start Over"
• Sequential decks go in order by weight
• Make sure deck has enough cards

"Cards are blank"

1. Refresh the page
2. Check internet connection
3. Verify cards were saved with content
4. Try editing the deck to check card content

"Deck disappeared"

• Check if it was accidentally deleted
• Zoom out (may be off-screen)
• Check with co-facilitators who may have moved it

Related Guides

• Using the Canvas - Canvas basics
• Your First Session - Facilitation fundamentals
• System Check - Verify your setup