{"id":753112,"date":"2021-06-09T13:49:50","date_gmt":"2021-06-09T20:49:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/?post_type=msr-blog-post&p=753112"},"modified":"2021-09-09T08:52:58","modified_gmt":"2021-09-09T15:52:58","slug":"suggestions-for-parallel-chat-in-meetings","status":"publish","type":"msr-blog-post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/articles\/suggestions-for-parallel-chat-in-meetings\/","title":{"rendered":"Suggestions for parallel chat in meetings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b<\/strong>By Sharon Gillett, Danielle Bragg (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>, Nancy Baym (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>, Rachel Bergman, Advait Sarkar (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>, Priscilla Wong, Abigail Sellen (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>, and Sean Rintel (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Most videoconferencing platforms enable attendees to post text, images, files, links etc. in a meeting chat pane or window simultaneously with audio\/visual (A\/V) modalities. remote This\u00a0parallel chat<\/i>\u00a0is typically open to all meeting invitees and flows concurrently with the A\/V focus of the meeting (for example a presentation or discussion).\u00a0\u00a0\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200bOur\u00a0analysis of parallel chat in work meetings (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0found that while parallel chat is considered a net positive, it can also be distracting, especially in meetings that involve more than a small group of people. Parallel chat may also not be accessible or inclusive.<\/p>\n

Our general position is that organizations should exploring\u00a0more intentional collaboration (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0These guidelines should help organizers\/moderators and participants to be more intentional about using parallel chat in meetings. We cover what makes parallel chat useful or distracting, and guidelines for before, during, and after meetings.<\/p>\n

\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200bWhat makes parallel chat useful versus distracting?<\/i><\/h2>\n

Parallel chat is used for at least seven distinct types of messages<\/i><\/h3>\n