In a conference where one or more people address a large audience, it is common, after the presentation, to have a moment of discussion or Q&A between the audience and the speakers on stage. This is a very useful practice, but in my opinion, it has certain limitations that I propose to overcome through an alternative method.
The Limitations of Orality
These limitations exist for several reasons. On the one hand, the time allocated for this exchange is often too short. Late starts, prolonged interventions by the speakers, or other factors often reduce this time, which can be frustrating. The exchange then becomes limited, sometimes even too brief, and in terms of energy, it is not always easy. The audience is in a listening position, facing speakers who are legitimized by the role they have been given. Daring to speak up in this context is not easy, especially since ideas need time to mature after being heard.
On the other hand, some people are comfortable speaking in public, while others, even if they have valuable contributions to make, do not dare to express themselves orally. I am not saying that oral exchange after a presentation is a bad thing: on the contrary, it is very good and often brings a lot. We should nurture this moment, give it sufficient time, and facilitate it in a way that invites people to contribute. For example, by encouraging them from the start to prepare questions or interventions. But it needs to be complemented, so that the mutual contributions to collective intelligence are deeper.
The Digital Contribution Method
To complement this interaction mechanism, I propose an alternative method. I distribute to each person in the room several sheets of blank paper, markers, pencils, pens, and a QR code. During a 5-minute sequence, I suggest they write on these sheets following three axes (they are free to choose one, several, or none):
- Axis 1: Personal Synthesis
Each person can write a synthesis of what they have just heard. This may seem obvious, but we realize that one person’s synthesis is not the same as another’s. Sharing these syntheses is very enriching, as it allows us to discover what others have retained and to broaden our own perspective on the topic. - Axis 2: Agreements and Disagreements
Participants can express what they agree or disagree with regarding what was said. Controversy is essential in exchanges, as intelligence emerges from the confrontation of ideas. It is by confronting different, even opposing, viewpoints that we deepen and enrich our understanding. Consensus is not always desirable: it can impoverish thought. Sharing these disagreements gives participants an important role and opens up fundamental spaces for debate to advance on any topic. - Axis 3: Expert Contributions
Some participants may have specific expertise or knowledge to contribute on the topic. For example, if a speaker talks about sociology without being a sociologist, a sociologist present in the room could enrich the debate with valuable information or references. This system allows us to move beyond authority-driven dynamics and enter into a collective intelligence approach. The speaker is not seen as the one who knows better than others, but as the one who proposes a framework for collective reflection.
Benefits of This Contribution Method
This device deconstructs the traditional academic representation of the speaker or professor as the sole holder of knowledge. Every person in the room has knowledge to share, and it is by exchanging these knowledges that we move forward collectively.
Of course, not everyone is comfortable with writing, just as not everyone is comfortable speaking orally. That is why I propose, in a public setting, to alternate 5-minute sessions for written contributions with moments of oral discussion. The two approaches are complementary.
Each participant receives a QR code allowing them to access, via their phone, a digital sharing space. A specific folder is created for each exchange moment. Participants take photos of their contributions and share them in this space. The contributions then appear on the screen in real time, allowing the speakers on stage to take them into account and respond to them. People in the room can also access each contribution in detail via their phone, fostering both a collective dynamic and individual autonomy in accessing the knowledge produced.
Finally, it is essential that these written traces remain accessible and enduring, to create a lasting resource for everyone.
Technical tool used
To implement this method very simply for the participants, I use the script: Single-file PHP file manager, file sharing, file browser and photo gallery.
