A direct question seems to make people's minds go blank. You can start the ball rolling with a question or arrange for a panelist or member of the audience to ask one. Another way to handle questions is for the moderator to start by posing questions to the panel. Harvard Law Professor Arthur R. Miller demonstrated this approach at a Graylyn Conference with a panel of 13 law related deans, judges, association officials, partners and librarians on the larger question of legal research skills. This works well when the audience is already well informed on the issues but seeks more understanding and the moderator is highly skilled.
Name cards help the audience to interact with the panel.
When the audience is seated so they can see one and other, there will be more participation. When the panelists can see each other, there is more cohesion. When speakers stand they can be more easily heard, seen and understood, and they project more authority to the audience. All rights reserved.