Virtual workshop with Discord and Mentimeter

The method uses facilitated online workshops and digital tools to [...]

Context: Collecting information from a target group through a facilitated discussion
Target group: Young people aged 16-35, who are either working or studying in the associative partner’s professional field

In this case, the method was applied as a structured online youth consultation process combining facilitated workshops with the use of Discord and Mentimeter.

The workshops were organised as facilitated sessions divided into thematic sections. Each section followed a consistent process in which participants first responded individually to questions using Mentimeter and then continued the discussion on Discord. Facilitators guided the process by providing instructions, presenting the collected responses, and initiating follow-up discussions to deepen understanding and explore participants’ perspectives.

Discord was used as the main platform for communication and interaction during the workshops. It provided a structured environment with separate channels for orientation, instructions, and discussion. Before the workshop, participants received instructions and familiarised themselves with the platform, including guidelines for safe space and constructive interaction. During the sessions, facilitators used Discord to moderate discussions, support participants, and maintain the flow of the workshop.

Mentimeter was used to collect participants’ inputs in a structured and anonymous way. Various question types were used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data, including multiple-choice questions, Likert-scale statements, word clouds, and open-ended responses. The questions in Mentimeter were designed to place participants’ mindsets in realistic, scenario-like situations, encouraging them to imagine themselves in real-life contexts where the discussed themes would occur. This approach aimed to support more authentic and reflective responses, helping participants articulate not only their choices but also the reasoning behind them. The results were shared with participants during the workshops without revealing individual answers.

The two tools were used in an alternating manner: Mentimeter supported individual reflection while Discord enabled collective discussion. This combination allowed facilitators to build discussions on participants’ responses and to iteratively deepen the exploration of the themes.

In practice, the method proved adaptable but also dependent on technical conditions, as demonstrated in one workshop setting where platform access limitations affected participation. Nevertheless, the approach enabled the collection of meaningful insights and supported interactive participation in an online environment.

The combination of individual reflection (Mentimeter) and facilitated group discussion (Discord) supported a balanced participation process and enabled all participants to contribute. The workshop had the right amount of structure and informality. The structured workshop design, including clear thematic sections and repeated interaction patterns, helped participants understand the process and stay engaged throughout the session.

Anonymity through the use of usernames and non-identifiable responses lowered the threshold for participation and encouraged open and honest input.

Visual presentation of collective responses (e.g. word clouds, shared results) supported discussion by making participants’ perspectives visible and tangible for the group.

Facilitated moderation played a key role in maintaining a constructive and respectful discussion atmosphere and in supporting participants in expressing their views.

The method enabled the collection of both qualitative and quantitative insights in a single process, supporting a richer understanding of participants’ perspectives.

The use of familiar and low-threshold digital platforms supported accessibility for young participants and allowed participation regardless of location.

The iterative process, where discussion built directly on participants’ own responses, supported deeper reflection and co-creation of ideas.

Technical limitations can significantly affect the implementation of the method. In this case, access restrictions (VPN settings) prevented participants from using the Discord platform while in school network in one workshop, which limited the interaction component of the method. Discussions with other educators indicated that similar network restrictions (such as VPN settings blocking Discord) are common in most, and potentially all, primary and secondary education institutions in Finland. This suggests that Discord is likely not a suitable platform for interactive work with young people in school-based contexts in Finland.

The method is dependent on participants having access to and being somewhat familiar with digital interaction platforms, which may create barriers to participation in certain contexts.

The use of multiple digital tools (Discord and Mentimeter) requires clear instructions and continuous support from facilitators, increasing the complexity of facilitation. Switching between platforms may interrupt the flow of the workshop for some participants and requires careful facilitation to maintain engagement.

Online written discussion can limit spontaneous interaction compared to face-to-face settings and may require more active facilitation to ensure balanced participation.

The method relies heavily on facilitation quality; without sufficient moderation and support, discussions may remain superficial or participation uneven.

Prepare and pre-write key instructions and prompts in advance. This makes it easier to maintain the flow of the discussion, as facilitators can quickly copy and paste messages instead of writing long instructions during the session.

Use at least two facilitators when possible. Dividing roles improves the quality of facilitation: one facilitator can focus on instructions, sharing materials, and managing the process, while another focuses on interaction, responding to participants, and supporting discussion.

Provide clear onboarding and guidance for participants. Ensure that participants understand the tools, structure, and expectations before and during the workshop, including safe space principles and how to participate.

Structure the workshop into clear, repeating phases. A consistent process helps participants follow the workshop more easily and supports engagement throughout.

Use participants’ responses as the starting point for discussion. Sharing responses (e.g. Mentimeter results) makes participants’ perspectives visible and helps ground the discussion in real input rather than abstract questions. In addition, starting with simpler, e.g. quantitative questions can support participants in forming their opinions and reflecting on the topic before moving on to more open-ended questions and discussion.

Guide the discussion actively and support participation. Facilitators should continuously encourage participation, ask follow-up questions, and support quieter participants to ensure a balanced and constructive discussion.