Hello all!
Sarah, thank you so much for this interesting experiment!
I did not contribute yesterday in the chat, as I was very busy with a very urgent work. But I managed to have my work done and to understand the information, returning to read what`s new when I have a little time. That is what I found to be a great benefit of this kind of activity!
I mean, Vesa :-), that while I was doing my urgent work, I was at the same time able to monitor and keep up the discussion. It is the same way as I use Skype in my office only at chat mode :-)
I think it might be good for forecaster who can follow the briefing while they are on shift. For sure, they could not contribute a lot but they would get the information, or they can join the chart later after shift or when they have time. I wonder how long can this chat be opened for discussions?
For example, as we see the chat forecast was not so good – no showers at the last image of chat! :-) Could we return now to the chat and try to find what the reason of failure was?
In addition, it could be a good thing for such big country as Russia. At the end of October, we will have 11 time zones! Could you imagine how to do the live synchronous meeting at these conditions? Me not and it is still an opened question. The 24 hours opened chat room may be an answer but the problem is in moderating it and keeping in touch with other forecasters from different time zones.
As for advantages:
- My own pace of contribution, I can join and go out easily without losing information.
- It do not take all my attention and time, for the intensive operational conditions, it is useful.
- It is good idea for such big country as Russia with a lot of time zones.
- It is very suitable for the shy people. I do know how it is hard to start talking to microphone, typing is better sometimes :-)
- It is easy to jump between the images if you want to refresh or compare them. And as I understand it is easy for presenter to change or put new images in-fly.
As for challenges (maybe for me only):
- It takes a lot of time (twice or three times then video/audio weather briefing). We all have a lack of time! :-)
- I agree with Pat about a little bit chaotic atmosphere. Maybe it need more strong moderation to take all people attention and more clear structure and plan of briefing then for audio chat.
- If it is more than 20 people (as it was yesterday), the messages of somebody entering chart or going away is a little bit annoying especially when you returning to read the discussion. I do know that it is good for moderator but it distracts the attention of participants.
- I did not check all tools useful for chat briefing but so far seems to me it is not so easy for participants to drawn in a Google docs. Btw, do the participants need a Google registration to use Google docs?
Thanks again!
Regards,
Lara