TOPIC:

Create online forms evaluators users could fill out on a phone. While at a meeting the user has the agenda open on their phone. They click an icon next to the speaker to open up a feedback form. Since they're logged in, this connects the evaluator to the speaker.

The evaluator would have their comments on their phone as a handy reference for their oral delivery.

The comments would not just return to the speaker. For repetitive categories which are on 1-10 scales could show charted progress over time for each of those categories.

Freely-worded comments could generate a word cloud to help highlight repetitive phrases. More recent comments would carry a heavier weight than older ones.

Once many comments were collected in the FTH database, analyze for repetitive patterns. Convert these into helpful drop-downs of the most common phrases. This would enable new evaluators return better feedback. Eventually some fields would be either free-type or a drop-down.

Now back in FTH the user logs in and sees a 'dashboard' showing their progress charts along with a word cloud. Its combined feedback from all speeches. Of course they could drill down to individual speech projects.

Now some evaluation forms are custom to certain speeches. This idea would likely require a simplification of these forms. Perhaps one for regular speeches and another for advanced projects.

This will start an interesting debate.

There are many clubs that have forbidden the use of electronic devices during meetings.

I see where you are going but most clubs still meet in venues that do not offer public internet.

Creating added value in the form of personalized content will encourage members to log into FTH more frequently. When multiple club members log in regularly, FTH functions better for a club since they'll sign up for roles and such. Helps avoid where its just one person managing everything for a club as is sometimes the case.

There are many clubs that have forbidden the use of electronic devices during meetings.

Taking "forbidden" to mean absolutely no usage. Likely to fall away with member churn. Incoming members will have different expectations.
My experience sees a 'silence your technology' approach. Just ensure it does not make any noise.

Every non-TM event X% of an audience is looking down at a screen. Higher percentage in tech-oriented sessions. A reality which members should be conditioned to. Its what they'll experience when they get outside the Toastmaster bubble.

I see where you are going but most clubs still meet in venues that do not offer public internet.

Public Wi-Fi will likely expand moving forward. Also users more likely to connect via their mobile connection as data plan allowances continue to become more generous.

I see you have your USA hat on.

Please think internationally, example in Canada cellular data cost are extremely high and coverage is metropolitan only.

Think community clubs in church basements etc.

Think Government/Military/Corporate where cell phones are forbidden or rendered non functional.

Remember we still have to target the lowest common denominator, hell we still have people trying to use IE 6 and IE 8 in government locations.

I've already written a system whereby members can vote for best speaker via either web browser or text messages (Twilio).

WiFi is almost readily available in most meeting venues, and 7" tablets are coming down in price.

I'd imagine in 2 years, all participants will be able to get on WiFi with their own smartphones or club-owned tablets and send in their comments/votes in real time. We will no longer need vote counters to run around gathering slips of paper.

Let's keep moving forward!

In some places, there are Toastmasters who find it a challenge to pay their six-monthly dues. Let's not make it harder for them to participate by implying that they need to acquire extra technology. Often, these people are among the ones who need the programme the most.

Oh, the horror of writing on paper!!!

I think I feel a cramp in my hand coming on!