Just as computer keyboard skills were once an inhibiting factor in using technology for collaboration, is there a similar concern with Smart Phones, Blackberries, iPhones, iPod Touch’s or phone keypad devices?
Back in the very early 90’s, when I first started exploring the use of computers for collaborative work, there were a number of technical issues. Of course, in those days we had the usual issues of reliable networking, software and hardware infrastructure to support collaborative environments. As challenging as these were however, the tougher issue for most organizations to address was whether managers and executives would resist participating in online collaboration if it meant that they needed to contribute via a computer keyboard.
Over the past 20 years that issue has faded as a more keyboard savvy generation of managers and executives have taken over. That said, there is a new trend emerging where devices such as iPod Touchs, Smart Phones and even cell phones with 10 number keypads are becoming the data input device for collaborative sessions.
A year ago I ran my first meeting using only this type of device – we used iPod Touches – with a group of executives. My client was intrigued because it seemed edgy and high tech. And, we eliminated network wiring or power cords by using Wi-Fi networking and long lasting batteries; the client didn’t have to concern herself with the robustness of the hotel’s internet service. The ability to provide feedback and vote via such a small device with a touch screen keyboard seemed fun.
But the question from the early 90’s returned. Will senior managers who have only recently begun using smart phones and other such devices be willing to use them in a collaborative environment?
Our client took the challenge and was very excited when the approach received positive reviews. Unlike my daughters who text message at 90 words per minute using a 10 key keypad on a cell phone, we designed the conversation with the assumption that these participants would be willing to type a few words or short sentences. The voting was also kept very simple with pull down menus which were easy and accurate to use. With these constraints taken into account and designed into the meeting approach the event proved to be a great success. The executives and meeting owners all loved the session and found it fun.
From this experience I concluded that one can expect a greater openness to using these types of devices in collaborative sessions (afterwards we found out that nearly half of the participants already use their cell phones to check and reply to emails). If I am correct, it will give meeting planners tremendous flexibility in meeting design and offsite portability. It will mean that the meeting room won’t need to look like a computer training class. A working session using web-based collaboration tools could take place at a resort, at a retreat or on a cruise ship (as was the case in my example).
Has anyone else experimented with using hand-held devices to do collaborative work? What are your conclusions?
Posted by Mike McCall, Facilitate.com
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18:59
Let’s Tweet the Meet, Mike. That was the subject of my blog; http://bit.ly/1K5o3s. Using micro-blogging before/during/after the meeting is a standard feature of my presentations now. And a simple on-line polling that the virtual and in-person audience can do with their SMS enabled or ’smart phones’ is to use http://www.polleverywhere.com/
03:55
Hi Mike,
Nice Article. The ipod applications seem to be really coming on strong.
I have seen mobile technologies used in 5 different ways for collaboration at events:
(1) Audience Response
(2) Speaker Q&A
(3) Idea Collection
(4) Brainstorming
(5) Backchannel Communication
The Speaker Q&A results that I have seen with mobile devices are really powerful. Speakers are getting many more questions than they could have otherwise received and answered with the “roving microphone” system. People are typing in questions when they think of them rather than waiting. Also, since the questions are electronic – people are posting the Q&A responses on intranets, etc.
For the Brainstorming and Idea Collection tools, the handhelds are good to let people input ideas either during a session or throughout the day. Though, one challenge that I see is in the presentation layer and screen size. It is much easier to look at lots of ideas from others on a laptop. Also, I have not seen any applications (yet) where the audience can categorize the ideas on the mobile devices. This step still seems to work better on laptops.
Another benefit of the mobile devices – you can use them in Auditorium style seating arrangements. With Laptops, you are stuck with round table formats or computer classrooom style.
-Sam
10:16
Doug,
Thanks for the post and the ideas. I like both the “Tweet the Meet” and sms concept. There are many, many new and innovative ways to bring mobile devices productively into meetings. They don’t always have to be the first thing we turn off when we enter a meeting room.
Mike
10:32
Sam,
I agree that mobile devices offer a far less intrusive and organic way to provide feedback to speakers as well as to provide brainstorming input. Your point about room setup is spot on. I’ve done meetings in which folks were provided with iPod Touches. You just needed a wireless hub and the Touches. They held their charge for the entire day so you didn’t need any wires run throughout the room. The room could be laid out to create the most dynamic participant environment rather than to accommodate technology.
We were able to prioritize and categorize items with the software we used which created a more robust meeting environment. That said screen real estate is an issue which must be taken into account. In some cases the demands of the session and the amount of information being generated make it more appropriate to use laptops.
As always, carefully planning your meeting and knowing its objectives and likely outcomes will allow you to pick the right tools to ultimately obtain the results you want.
Mike