July 7, 2008
New Model for Staff Development
Posted by Lee Kolbert under collaboration, Presentations and Workshops, Web 2.0 Tools | Tags: backchannel, chat, web2.0 |[2] Comments
One of the things I found innovative at NECC2008 was the use of backchannel networking during presentations or forums. The facilitators would set up a chat channel using something like the free version of Chatzky. Participants each have access to a computer and are logged in to the chat application. A central computer displaying the scrolling ensuing chat is projected onscreen. While the presentation continues participants are encouraged to engage in “backchannel” discussions about the topic at hand. Typically, links are shared as well as additional resources adding rich collaborative learning to an otherwise linear presentation. It also serves to keep participants highly engaged. Chat transcripts can then be saved and posted for later reference.
Read David Jakes’ blog post about ChatCasting.
Backchannel chats can be initiated using free resources such as Jaiku, Twitter and SMS, Plurk, AIM, Skype or paid services such as Adobe Connect.
What are your thoughts about incorporating something like this in your next workshop? Do you see any value to something as “edgy” as this? Are there risks?
July 30th, 2008 at 7:59 am
This is an interesting tool that I think has merit. I think just about anyone reading this has been in a situation at one time or another where they were on the receiving end of a presentation in a large room (or even watching it from a different room via CCTV), and at some point some internal response gets triggered, like: “Hey, that’s not true anymore since blah blah…” or “She is SO on target! That very thing happened to me at blah blah…” Usually, these responses are not shared with the rest of the audience, but now we can, indeed, share these things via backchannel chat. The downside, however, is that audience members might get so wrapped up in a side discussion in the backchannel chat that they miss key points in the main presentation. Lets face it, the average human doesn’t multi-task very well when it comes to listening.
All in all, I think it’s a great idea!
August 11th, 2008 at 5:16 am
That’s true, Michael. I’ve found myself wrapped up in the backchannel conversation also to the point where I’m missing what’s going on in the main presentation. But if what I’m getting is valuable, then…
Thanks for your comment.
~Lee