The Art of Knowledge

 

H2O

Big Mike recommended that I check this out. It's a program called H2O. They are attempting to change the way people comment via rotisserie system.

Rotisserie implements an innovative approach to online discussion that encourages measured, thoughtful discourse in a way that traditional threaded messaging systems cannot. In contrast to the completely asynchronous, broadcast-to-broadcast mode of existing threaded messaging systems, the Rotisserie adds structure to both the timing and the flow of the discussion. The timing of the discussion is broken into semi-synchronous rounds. Users are allowed to post responses at any time, but their responses are not published to other users until the deadline for the current round passes. This structure allows users to put significant thought into their responses rather than competing with other participants to post first. More important, this structure allows the system to control the flow of the discussion by distributing responses to specific users for further discussion at the end of each round, ensuring that every post is distributed to at least one other user for comment and that each user has exactly one post to which to respond.

Great idea! I only have a couple questions about it though. What current method of study or delivery or work does this take the place of? If it takes the place of none and is simply an extracurricular activity in hopes of enlightenment, it may struggle to get off the ground and thrive. By being incorporated in the stead of a prior medium, i.e. Homework or class discussion, the involvement may take off. The other question I have is the process by which they retain,organize, and make available, data. The threads and communication are vital. The idea of thought out rotisserie responses is a good one. The functionality by which they retain the information, make it searchable, make it interactive, make it autonomous, and most importantly make it pertinent is absolutely essential. I didn't see any of that in their "In The Works" section.

For the next round of development, we plan implementation of an already-designed, more easily navigable user interface and the addition of a content-sharing system that will allow project leaders to share course content (lectures, readings, syllabi) as easily as the system currently allows them to share discussions. In addition, we are working to bring more of the tools that have been in prototype use at the Berkman Center, such as a real time polling tool and a multimedia archive, to public release.

Link posted by JVMM : 4:36 PM