Therefore, I am always disappointed when a trainer or facilitator begins their session or workshop with this request: "Please turn off your phones and mobile devices before we get started."
In Dave Kelly's article, Backchannel Learning in an Organizational Setting, he confronts this common occurrence and explains why these trainers and facilitators should stop fighting the technology wave that has already arrived and embrace it instead. And I completely agree.
He writes,
He goes on to relate another common occurrence that I personally partake in when attending conferences and workshops - using Social Media platforms during the sessions to relay what is being learned to others not in attendance. I adore Twitter for this reason (among many others). This fantastic interaction is referred to as 'The Backchannel'.Many teachers, trainers, and presenters have been resisting the use of mobile devices during their sessions. To quote a famous Star Trek line, "Resistance is futile." The influx of smart phones is only going to continue, so resistance only delays the inevitable. It is also shortsighted, as the usage of mobile devices during sessions is not a risk at all; it is an opportunity.Simply put, learners are now walking into your session carrying the ultimate engagement tool right in their pocket.
Coming up at the end of this month, I will be tweeting for and from the Canadian Society of Training and Development's 2012 Conference and I can't wait. I, along with many others, will be tweeting the gems we learn for anyone to see via the hashtag, #CSTD2012. As Dave Kelly points out in his article, this backchannel learning is an amazing opportunity despite all the unfortunate resistance to it.
I embrace and encourage the use of smartphones, Social Media and backchannel learning whenever and wherever possible. How about you? What experiences have you already had and what were the outcomes?In addition to the content shared by those organizational employees in attendance, non-attendees can also learn from the content shared by everyone else attending the conference. For larger conferences, there could be hundreds of people sharing their learning via the backchannel.It is in this open sharing that the true power of the backchannel emerges. You can definitely get an understanding of the themes, trends, and concepts being shared at a conference by reviewing the postings of attendees shared through the backchannel.
Please leave your comments below.
In my mind Backchannel learning is fine as long as it isn't a hands on classroom setting. As a facilitator, I can only imagine the amount of times I would need to repeat instructions if I did not ask participants to refrain from using their mobile devices during class.
ReplyDeleteYou make a valid point for sure, especially with hands on. Backchannel, and Social Media for that matter, may not be suitable for all learning situations, but I certainly love the challenge of figuring out ways to make them so.
DeleteFor now, furthering the discussion around these platforms and approaches is a good thing as I believe too many missed opportunities are happening because of outright resistance. And as the article states, the wave is already here and 'resistance is futile' -especially with the digital natives coming up the ranks.
Thanks for your comment and for considering these issues in your role as a facilitator!
For me it boils down to an issue of control. I think many facilitators, presenters and speakers mistake backchannel discussions as a distraction rather than a contribution.
ReplyDeleteControl mixed with feelings of being threatened by the technology? ie., being replaced or not needed maybe? And the distraction piece I get, to a point, because in reality, when we train and facilitate, ppl don't need a smartphone in their hand to be distracted...
DeleteI agree Greg. In addition to control, facilitators need to manage the overall learning experience of all participants and what do you do if not all participants or even just a small percentage want to use social media? I love the idea of using social media as a way to have participants ask questions and discuss with one another.
ReplyDeleteTrue, for 'early adopters' and 'digital natives', it's part of their everyday already. I'm going to take this convo further re: using SoMe in ways you've mentioned, so stay tuned!
DeleteSome great comments so far. If I may add, the best presenters/leaders/instructors would be smart to consider backchannel opportunities in their presentations. Provide quotes; provide moments; request feedback. Embrace the "distraction" as a way to engage and share with as many as possible. Just remember to turn the ringer volume down.
ReplyDeleteThe ringer volume! Ha! Exactly.
DeleteI like what you've said about taking advantage of the 'distraction' by placing opportunities within the presentation, like quotable content, tweetable moments and requesting feedback. So true and hopefully becoming more common.
People doodle, stare off into space, let their minds wander and are distracted during conference sessions anyway, might as well let them be productive with their distractions, right?