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New writing + illustrations on my recent Open Space experiment.
Open Space enables groups to co-create an agenda, and move between conversations. It can work in Zoom, and it's worth the effort.
https://drawingchange.com/open-space-technology-and-zoom-flexible-online-spaces/
with resources from @AmandaFenton and @chriscorrigan
Open Space enables groups to co-create an agenda, and move between conversations. It can work in Zoom, and it's worth the effort.
https://drawingchange.com/open-space-technology-and-zoom-flexible-online-spaces/
with resources from @AmandaFenton and @chriscorrigan
Mini highlights in this thread:
We all need tools for meetings that centre inclusion and belonging. We all deserve to have conversations that matter. Open Space is a highly participatory facilitation process – usually for face to face meetings, but it’s possible online
We all need tools for meetings that centre inclusion and belonging. We all deserve to have conversations that matter. Open Space is a highly participatory facilitation process – usually for face to face meetings, but it’s possible online
Great resources exist on what is Open Space Technology. Start here if you’re new: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/open-space-resources/
Amanda Fenton has written an excellent how-to guide for OST using Zoom: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4oroj-ac3f4n_qqUHCBrbiFUvw54lRUDm8kDP6L3M4/edit?usp=sharing
Amanda Fenton has written an excellent how-to guide for OST using Zoom: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4oroj-ac3f4n_qqUHCBrbiFUvw54lRUDm8kDP6L3M4/edit?usp=sharing
First, you absolutely need to have at least two people to run an effective Open Space online. Tech host with moderate-to-experience in Zoom breakouts
You’ll use Zoom for discussions, and you’ll need an online tool for getting organized, co-creating the agenda, and and note-taking. I used http://MURAL.co . Amanda’s guide uses Google Slides.
Open Space is about co-creating an agenda. In face to face, we use big pieces of paper taped to a board, and it’s called the Marketplace. Online, it's Zoom plus a collaboration writing tool (Google slides, MURAL, etc). Check out the resources for OST, if you’re new to this
Folks who were new to MURAL asked if clicking would get us into the breakouts, and even though the template was locked down.... people still created dozens of post its and doodles. Don't underestimate what UX might be!
What we learned :
Usually an Open Space has 1-minute pitches out loud. With this many people, we used writing. With 250-300 people, encourage a short written description of the topic in MURAL. We encourage clarification out loud for any topics that need elaboration.
Usually an Open Space has 1-minute pitches out loud. With this many people, we used writing. With 250-300 people, encourage a short written description of the topic in MURAL. We encourage clarification out loud for any topics that need elaboration.
At a giant conference, assume that some percent of people will be new to breakouts and also to new collaboration tools. Give people a space to play and learn new tools. We often call this a “sandbox.” If folks get frustrated with tech, they’re more likely to leave an online event
HERE'S THE BIG WOW:
If it’s suitable for the security for your meeting, make everyone in Zoom a co-host. With co-host powers, everyone will be able to MOVE THEMSELVES between breakout groups. It’s amazing.
If it’s suitable for the security for your meeting, make everyone in Zoom a co-host. With co-host powers, everyone will be able to MOVE THEMSELVES between breakout groups. It’s amazing.
How to Move People – Part 2:
Now people can move between breakout rooms … if you do this: Make one breakout room called lobby, and send everyone to the lobby FIRST. Then give more instructions to the group and open the breakout rooms.
Again, this: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4oroj-ac3f4n_qqUHCBrbiFUvw54lRUDm8kDP6L3M4/edit?usp=sharing
Now people can move between breakout rooms … if you do this: Make one breakout room called lobby, and send everyone to the lobby FIRST. Then give more instructions to the group and open the breakout rooms.
Again, this: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4oroj-ac3f4n_qqUHCBrbiFUvw54lRUDm8kDP6L3M4/edit?usp=sharing
The Backup Plan:
If it’s not appropriate/ not secure enough to make everyone a co-host, then your tech host can manually move people into the breakout rooms they want. Participants should rename themselves to be the BREAKOUT ROOM they want to be moved to.
If it’s not appropriate/ not secure enough to make everyone a co-host, then your tech host can manually move people into the breakout rooms they want. Participants should rename themselves to be the BREAKOUT ROOM they want to be moved to.
It’s a huge demand on the tech host to make everyone a co-host then set up and rename every breakout room for 250+ people. A simple solution: co-create the agenda, then send participants on a short break. They’ll come back to the tech ready to go. I won't skip this next time!
Once the breakout rooms are open, you sadly won’t be able to rename these extra rooms. Extra rooms is useful: we missed naming a particular topic’s breakout room (I’m so sorry). To direct people, we wrote on the Marketplace “go to Extra Room 1” and folks figured it out. #OST
Back up the Marketplace. I was a participant in an Open Space recently that used Miro and an unsuspecting participant used a frame, and the whole board exploded in a fascinating fractal. Make a backup of whatever you’re using, once the agenda is set…. just in case. #OST
Less than 10% of people had tech that didn’t work for one reason or another, and folks couldn’t “leave” the main room at all.
We used one of the principles of Open Space – wherever it happens is the right place. We had a great discussion in the plenary room, instead
We used one of the principles of Open Space – wherever it happens is the right place. We had a great discussion in the plenary room, instead
Online is an experiment. And so is OST! I’m reminded of the #OpenSpace principles:
Whoever comes are the right people.
Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.
Whenever it starts is the right time.
Whenever it’s over, it’s over.
Wherever it happens is the right place.
Whoever comes are the right people.
Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.
Whenever it starts is the right time.
Whenever it’s over, it’s over.
Wherever it happens is the right place.
It was a pleasure to help facilitate this session at the first virtual @IFVP – an annual highlight of my professional development. The next two days of our virtual conference are in July and August – tickets are a fraction of the usual price. https://www.ifvp.org/content/2020-conference
Links:
Chris Corrigan’s resources, who provides extensive training and wonderful writing on all this: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/open-space-resources/
This as a much longer blog post: https://drawingchange.com/open-space-technology-and-zoom-flexible-online-spaces/
Amanda Fenton's guide with links at the end: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4oroj-ac3f4n_qqUHCBrbiFUvw54lRUDm8kDP6L3M4/edit?usp=sharing
Chris Corrigan’s resources, who provides extensive training and wonderful writing on all this: http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/open-space-resources/
This as a much longer blog post: https://drawingchange.com/open-space-technology-and-zoom-flexible-online-spaces/
Amanda Fenton's guide with links at the end: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x4oroj-ac3f4n_qqUHCBrbiFUvw54lRUDm8kDP6L3M4/edit?usp=sharing
