– The longer the group convenes or the more often they meet, the more new tools can be introduced because people will be more prepared to try and learn new things.
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
Zoom Fatigue
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtM7OnFrJYQ
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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h8tVs68iO4&feature=youtu.be
