Wall and Technology

[Lisa Heft]

I would hope that even when technology is available, it is not the  
driver of the design decisions.
I'd hope that design - just like any facilitation design - starts with  
overarching objectives, desired outcomes, assessment and analysis of  
time, physical space, issues and numbers of participants, and that  
choice of tool(s) (including whether it's Open Space or another  
dialogic process -and- what sorts of tech tools may be useful) grow  
directly from the specifics of human dynamics, ways brains / people  
think, impact on or extension of a desired element - all parts of  
anything you're introducing into the full system (from design  
adjustments to tools) being thought about as they interrelate to the  
whole and to the objectives.

My best learning on this was in a workshop given by the wonderful  
Eugene Kim on collaboration using tech tools - two thirds of the  
workshop was first spent on what are the feelings / elements of / ways  
to foster group collaboration, experiencing some of those ways to  
fully integrate and understand the nature of collaboration, and *then*  
a brief look at if there are any tech tools that improve upon what  
people can do with their bodies and minds in the physical space.

So for example, sure, it would save time for folks to electronically  
scan their handwritten notes - however this would remove the  
opportunity for people to think while they are transcribing about how  
to adjust the framing for the outside reader (the one who couldn't be  
in the physical discussion at the time). So each gain is a ... well  
not a loss, but an impact, that I'm hoping is thoughtfully considered.  
The other interesting thing that happens when people transcribe is the  
conversations that happen at the Newsroom - which is also *the work*  
just as much as in the discussion circles. Not that a physical  
Newsroom is required - just one of the reasons sometimes a physical  
Newsroom is intentionally designed into the process. It also is gives  
a visible, tangible sense of shared responsibility.

Folks can take notes on their laptops, and / however the impact is  
that it is written in 'quick-speak' / 'quick-think' (my own words)  
which communicates what happens very differently (if at all) to many  
outside readers (the others in the event who did not get to that  
conversation).  Notes can be sent to a wiki, however the impact can  
often be that less notes get in, only those whose culture or ways of  
absorbing info includes going to webspaces access the notes, or other  
elements that should be considered.  Many tech tools fit with 'instant  
responder' learners or those already adept at the tools, so it might  
do well to consider the full group's access to learning or practice  
about/with those tools so all have equal access. Tech tools can  
sometimes lead to public posting of notes, and shifts in ability to  
keep discussions confidential if they need to be - so thoughts about  
whether those notes are posted for the public or in some way just for  
the members is something to be considered.  All good - all to be  
considered.

Folks can write notes on paper flip chart pads, for that matter - and  
photos can be taken of those pages. However it is often the case that  
those in the group find it perfect documentation of their experience,  
and those who were in other groups cannot quite tell (though they can  
feel a bit of) what was discussed. Again: not a negative, just  
something to consider.  Sometimes facilitators choose to write notes  
out on a flipchart pad both for others to see -and- to slow down the  
thinking so that all types of thinkers can access that information and  
'read between the lines' as well.  A design choice for the ways people  
think.

Many of you have much more experience in doing Open Space with  
enhanced technology than I - I'm not saying tech is bad - I'm saying I  
hope that all tools are considered for their enhancement-versus-impact  
rather than what may first appear as helping things get done quicker  
and more smoothly.

Gabriel and Christine and the gang modeled an amazing thoughtfulness  
in design (introducing tech tools into the human system of an 11,000  
person conference in a way that raised individual capacity to use such  
tools, enhanced community, enhanced discussion and interchange and  
offered data back to the conference, in last October's Girl Scout  
convention - they considered not just the tools but the visuals  
connecting people to such tools, the handling of the tools, the  
learning curves for the tools, the ripple effect of the introduction  
of each tool during the conference and so many more thoughtful amazing  
elements to use of tools to enhance and deepen everything from  
discussion to data collection to in-person co-learning...).  I am in  
awe. I was quite an experience.

Just some thoughts to throw into the mix. I know that some of you  
great folks are stretching our learning and your own practice in the  
fields of OS and technology...

And a bow right now to the fabulous Gabriela Ender for a very early  
tech tool on the OS horizon, introduced some years ago and still going  
strong: OpenSpace-Online...

Lisa

Lisa Heft
Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
Opening Space
lisaheft at openingspace.net
www.openingspace.net



On Jun 3, 2009, at 11:54 AM, Harrison Owen wrote:

> I have less concern about the tech-break (always possible, but you  
> survive)
> and more that the technology may get in the way of the people. Erik  
> mentions
> that a "transcriber" could handle the task of posting -- true -- but  
> at the
> cost of "direct control of the board." My objective is always to have
> nothing (at least little) in the way of the people and their task.  
> Over the
> years multiple techies have come up with all sorts of truly great  
> stuff, but
> more often than not I found it to be a technology in search of an
> application as opposed to a transparent assist to folks in Open  
> Space. The
> more we do for the people, the less they do for themselves. The  
> antidote is
> to just get out of the way. Being totally present and absolutely  
> invisible.
> Definitely works with facilitators and I think the same should apply  
> to
> technology.
>
> Harrison
>
>>
>> *
>>

*
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