The start of a new year is always a time for reflection. For our team, that reflection led us to one key question: How can we work better together? The answer was found in your feedback: an independent timer! A simple feature, yet one we hope will be powerful—because timing means structuring, pacing discussions, and boosting engagement. It also helps keep brainstorming sessions on track.
In 2025, Glowbl will continue developing your ideas and tools to turn your New Year’s resolutions into concrete actions! Wishing you all a wonderful year, and here’s what’s new in January:
⏰ Orchestrate sessions better: A timer tool outside of the session flow! 🧠 Structure your thoughts: Improved note fields for facilitators in the session flow 🤝 Keep all facilitators involved: Real-time visibility of ongoing poll results for all facilitators.
⏰ Orchestrate Sessions: A Timer Outside of the Session Flow!
As mentioned earlier, the timer now has a place in your facilitation toolbox. If you’re already used to using it in your session flow, the functionality remains the same:
- Set the duration
- Start/pause
- Reset/modify/restart
Defining precise durations helps participants better manage their focus during an activity. Plus, a time constraint adds a fun, competitive dimension and ensures your session stays on track.
🧠 Structure Your Thoughts: Improved Note Fields for Facilitators
In each step of a session flow, facilitators can add private notes—such as estimated duration or key details. To help you better organize your ideas and avoid clutter, we have split the note field into two parts:
- Notes (400 characters): A reminder for yourself, acting as your prompter.
- Instructions (200 characters): Clear and concise guidance to share verbally with participants.
Thus, instead of:
“Present the activity using the PDF and start the five-minute timer to begin the activity, during which participants must answer the question in the collaborative note before switching tables.”
You will have:
Notes: Present the activity using the PDF. Then start the five-minute timer.
Instructions: Answer the question in the collaborative note, then switch tables.
This structure enhances clarity and fluidity. With better-organized information, you can focus on your participants rather than your notes. It also improves the sharing, transmission, and reception of sequence. Since version 5.2, each sequence includes a descriptive sheet. While the objective and a short description must be manually added, the notes and instructions serve as step descriptions.
🤝 Ensuring No Facilitator is Left Out: Real-Time Poll Results Visibility for All Facilitators
When you launch a poll, the results are displayed in real time in the Poll tab of the blue toolbox, allowing you to decide when to stop collecting responses. It could be frustrating for your co-facilitator to only see the message “a poll is in progress” without access to the actual results. They also couldn’t step in for you if you were suddenly occupied with a participant. No more frustration—your requests have been granted!
And as a reminder, when you stop the poll, you have the option to share the results with the participants at your table.
Ready, Set, Collaborate!
With an independent timer for better pacing, more structured tools for organizing ideas, and improved facilitator coordination, 2025 marks the beginning of a new dynamic for Glowbl and your events.
Join us to kick off the year at Learning Technologies in Paris on January 29-30… the countdown has begun!
I’m Aude-Marine, and as a Digital Learning Manager, I help you get started with Glowbl through workshops held twice a week and run-throughs before your sessions.
Previously a video editor and festival coordinator, I’m eager to help you organize inspired and creative events, workshops, and training sessions.
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