Spatial video conferencing with self-organised breakout rooms
Last week, I came across a new platform called Wonder which allows for participants to self-organise into video chat groups.
![Screenshot of Wonder](https://dougbelshaw.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/img_20201120_062227_7075507058292518034134.jpg)
As an early product, it’s not without its quirks, but this kind of thing is gold for facilitators interested in more democratic and participatory workshops.
Here’s why I like it:
- Participants can leave a group and join or form a new one at any time
- Everyone entering the room can be asked an icebreaker question, the answer to which is displayed when you hover over their avatar
- When you’re outside a group (like me in the screenshot above) you can see who’s talking in a group
- It’s got all of the usual screensharing functionality you’d expect
- Admins/facilitators can ‘broadcast’ to all groups (without having to recall them)
This is much better than Zoom rooms, which have to be set up by the facilitator, and which perpetuates a hierarchical power relationship.
It did take me back to a decade ago, wandering around a classroom when I ‘dropped in’ to groups. People stopped talking for a moment. But that’s always the case when someone joins a group that’s already having a conversation.
So long as the pricing doesn’t end up being ridiculous, I’m planning to use Wonder for any meetings where I need breakout rooms. Although Zoom has superior video quality (and backgrounds!) I’m very impressed with what Wonder offers me as a facilitator.
This post is Day 62 of my #100DaysToOffload challenge. Want to get involved? Find out more at 100daystooffload.com