What should be general criteria for online tools? (core values around software solutions — other that what is covered above) (these are suggestions, not a definitive/exclusive list)
Real-Life Cases
Ideas
– Open-source?
– Minimum privacy standards
– Minimum reliability standards
– Cost
-What is prohibitively expensive?
Technologies
General high-level guideline suggestions (these are just suggestions, not a definitive/exclusive list)
Real-Life Cases
Ideas
– Design for the least tech-savvy participant; then it’ll be great for everyone else, too
– Shorten all durations compared to in-person (shorter meetings & shorter activities within meetings)
– Connect to the offline world as much as possible (e.g., using physical objects, papers, etc.)
– Bring more FUN into meetings than we would normally in a deliberation — to prevent burnout and extend engagement
– Carson: general pace needs to be slower; don’t expect to get through as much material
– Carson: use the minimum number of tools/platforms possible, but use it to its fullest — find ways to do as much as possible within a given tool
– Carson: even more important than usual to have absolute clarity of purpose for every bit of every session.
Technologies
Limitations and Benefits of Online Deliberation
Limitations
Online deliberation may inhibit participants from forming bonds, emotionally connecting with the topics, and participating. Also disrupts the feeling of fluid conversation that is present within in person deliberations.
https://www.involve.org.uk/resources/blog/opinion/online-or-offline-view-assembly-members
Possibly harder to facilitate because it is harder to gauge who needs more help/ attention to make sure that they are adequately contributing to the conversation. EG you can’t gauge someone’s body language.
https://facilitatingpublicdeliberation.libsyn.com
Benefits
Participants have indicated that they prefer deliberations that incorporate an online component and some small businesses owners have voiced that online deliberation allowed them to participate without being too time consuming.
https://www.involve.org.uk/resources/blog/opinion/online-or-offline-view-assembly-members
Some participants have expressed that they felt more comfortable voicing their opinion in an online deliberation than they would have if they were in person.
