An Interesting Format.
I came across this interesting format of using social media for a discussion. Full credit goes to the MILT (Mcgrath Institute of Ledership Training founded by Mr. Aporesh Acharya). Kolkata group (particularly Mr.Rajesh Agarwal )
Basically it is a cross between a twitter and On line Chat/meet, but without the pressure of instantanious reaction. It is held using Whats App. I am taking a few liberties on the model, and I invite you too to add to this.. and experiment.
1. One or two people are asked to prepare a presentation on a particular topic, or sharing on their personal lives. They are asked to break-up their presentation into small discrete units. Each unit may be text, video, audio, graphic, picture. Each Unit is numbered 1 - unit, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3.. 2 - Unit, 2.1, 2.2.. and so on.
2. At the appointed time: After a bit of band Baaja, The presenters start presenting in a pre-decided order.. with a time gap after each Unit. Particpants may react, or interpolate with their comments, or their own remarks. Since each unit is numbered, they are allowed to use an extention of the numbering.. eg. 1.2 response will be 1.2.1, 1.2.2 etc. Presenters are allowed to deviate from pre-pared texts, and react.. using further numbering lie 1.2.2.1 etc.. The numbering is only an aid, not compulsory. So emojis can come in..
3. At the end of the entire transaction, you still get trailing comments, and studies responses. This is really good. Finally, someone can take the r5esponsibility of putting all these Units in one webpage or Blog.
The advantage of this method, is that participants can re-read what they want, when they want. They dont have to react immediately. Also particpants need not get worried about doing other works or play. And they can compose their responses, take their time etc and then send it. You have a mix of presetation styles.. pre-prepared, interactive, and reflected upon responses.
What I found useful in this MILT example was the pre-chat preperations? Teaser questions and visuals are sent asking people to guess the person/topic etc. At the same time the speakers and moderators, exchange notes off line and get suggestions from their peers.
A variation would be that a seperate whats apps group is formed for each event, and so invitation can be sent accross various groups, platforms etc.