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Group Chat Workshop

A low-lift and low-cost way for virtually engaging participants in the design process.

Stats

Suggested Time

Ongoing; daily engagement over the course of a week

Level of Difficulty

Moderate

Materials Needed

Participant Consent Form, Workshop Plan with Facilitation Guide, Device with WhatsApp installed

Participants

Design team & co-designers


Process Phase

This is a fun and creative way to conduct research remotely and is great for facilitating a group dialogue amongst people who might not be able to gather in the same location. Using a messaging platform - such as WhatsApp or Facebook messenger - you can send questions to participants and enable them to respond in creative ways (such as with pictures, gifs and emojis, voice notes, short videos, photo diaries, etc).

Steps

  1. Define your objectives, participants, and format for the workshop, using the Planning Worksheet.
  2. As you recruit participants give them clear information on the nature of the workshop and compensation for participating, and have them complete a consent form.
  3. In the first message to the group repeat the info and expectations about participation and then get things with a fun and easy question. Check out the example in the Planning Worksheet.
  4. Over the next 4-5 days, send a prompt per day and encourage participation from the group. For each prompt, submit your own personal response too.
  5. As the participants respond, thank them for their response, acknowledge that the response was beautiful, powerful, inspiring, honest, etc If anyone has not participated on that day, send a short reminder @___ did you have something to share today?
  6. On the last day, share back something that you have learned from the group and facilitate a gratitude share for everyone.
Download Worksheet

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