Do you ever wonder what a presentation would be like if the presenter on-stage could know what the audience was thinking while presenting? Knowing the questions that were really on the minds of the audience concerning the topic would allow real targeting of the presentation. And if the audience could see what others are thinking wouldn’t they have a much more complete view of the topic being discussed?
Well you don’t have to wonder anymore. Interactive Media Lab has introduced a new way of using Twitter feeds in live events. We recently integrated Twitter into the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, an international event produced by IML each year drawing participants from over 50 countries around the world.
During a special panel Q&A session audience members could Tweet questions and comments to speakers. (IML programmed an instantaneous screening process to ensure that Tweets submitted to the panel were appropriate and on-topic.) Messages could be seen by the moderator on a monitor and the audience could see them within a large high-definition matrix screen that served as a 60' backdrop to the stage.
This innovative use of new communication technologies was a real hit with the audience and panel. It really personalized the content of the panel session and gave a new accessible dimension beyond otherwise stale traditional Q and A formats.
Below is a brief video describing IML’s years of production work supporting the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
