Dumb down high tech so the lay people in the room can stay in the conversation.

technique — attributed to Kathy 'Coach' Kemper

When the Institute for Education pivoted to tech issues in 2012, Kemper had to insist repeatedly that the panelists translate. You have to dumb it down. Then, you guys have to dumb it down more. A panel that successfully explained the Internet of Things landed it with the line: wouldn't it be great if stoplights could talk to each other and turn green when no one is there. The room finally clicked. The technique is about respecting the room's intelligence by not assuming its specialized knowledge. Lay listeners can engage with anything when the experts will translate for them. They cannot engage with jargon.

For moderators of mixed-expertise rooms. The technique requires the moderator to be willing to ask experts to clarify in front of the audience, which some experts experience as friction.

accessibility, tech-translation, moderation, comprehension