A forum, panel, colloquium and symposium are all methods in which groups can have discussions and present their results to a larger audience. Each of these are structured differently and have different levels of audience participation. First, in a forum, “the group can speak and listen to a larger audience… [and] the full audience participates, examining a topic or problem after a short presentation by the group” (pg. 219). A panel format does not have the speakers and audience directly interact, instead it has a moderator to introduce the discussion/topic, the speakers and the question and answer portion. Usually there are a set number of experts on the certain topic at hand and these experts will discuss the topic amongst themselves whereby the audience can observe their discussion. A colloquium also uses a smaller set number of experts, a mediator, and involves audience participation; however, it different in that the experts all have different views on the subject and the purpose “is to identify, develop, and work through possible solutions to a problem for the benefit and with the participation of the audience” (pg. 220). Lastly, a symposium is much more formal in that the speakers must plan and prepare “brief speeches made on different aspects of a complex and difficult problem…the purpose of the symposium is to present complex technical information to the audience about the problem” (pg. 221). Symposiums also utilize a moderator and may have a forum discussion to allow the audience to ask questions.
Out of the four methods of presenting, I would most likely prefer the forum method of discussion because it allows the audience direct interaction with the speakers and this format encourages their participation. I think it would benefit both the audience and the speakers in that different viewpoints can be shared by all participants and it helps to keep the audience engaged. While audience interaction isn’t always necessary, I think it definitely helps to keep things interesting and makes people want to pay attention to a presentation, even if the information being presented is not of use to them.
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Hi GCL, I agree with you that the forum method is the best. It gives the chance for the audience members to participate. They might have particular questions to ask after a presentation. There are presentations that don’t allow audience participation which is unfortunate. People have many opinions and viewpoints that they want to bring into the forefront. From a forum, it keeps members interested during the presentation. By just hearing the presenter speak and not having the chance to have one’s voice heard, they might not have particular questions answered. When I am giving presentations, I prefer audience participation because it is not just me who is speaking the entire time. It is nice to hear the opinions people have on a particular topic.
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