Running a Q&A session independently is a straightforward process. It often happens in community-driven events or self-managed presentations with limited staffing. In this setup, the speaker typically manages the flow directly from the stage, with their laptop connected to the main projector.
Note that while the article is addressing the feature's usage in the Event Pigeonhole, the behaviour of the feature in the Presentation Pigeonhole is similar.
Watch this 30-second video to understand how this setup works:
Addressing questions
When you're ready to address a question, select it from the Q&A question list on the Projector Panel. This "Activates" the question, displaying it in an enlarged format on the main screen for the audience. Simultaneously, the question is pinned to the top of the Audience Web App for easy reference.
When the question has been answered, select the Mark Answered button. This action removes the question from the Projector Panel. The question remains visible in the Audience Web App. An “Answered” label displays under the question.
An example of an active question on the Projector Panel. It is marked as answered.
Using Controls in the Projector Panel
While in the Projector Panel, the Control Bar appears automatically when you move your cursor to the bottom of the screen. Use the Control Bar to quickly jump to other sessions or interactivities, or access certain features during your talk. The Control Bar and your cursor auto-hide after a few seconds of inactivity.
Setting the display to Full Screen
Use these steps to open Full-Screen mode:
- Open the Q&A in the Projector Panel.
- To open the Control Bar, move your cursor to the bottom of the screen.
- Select the four-arrow Full Screen icon at the far right of the Control Bar.
A screenshot of the Projector Panel showing the Controls at the bottom
Switching Sessions or Interactivities
For an Event Session, the left side of the Control Bar has a Sessions menu. For a Presentation Interactivity, this is an Interactivities menu.
Selecting this menu opens a list of sessions or interactivities in the Pigeonhole. Select the Session or Interactivity you want to show. When it loads, the Control Bar updates to show the options relevant to the Session or Interactivity type.
An example of how to use Controls to navigate between sessions in the Projector Panel
Customising your view
By default, the Q&A panel displays all submitted questions. You can switch between views to better organise your workflow or highlight specific content.
- In the right side of the Control Bar, select Display.
- Choose one of the following options from the menu that expands:
- Starred questions: Shows a list of any questions that you or an Admin starred in the Admin Panel.
- List view: Displays the questions as a list.
- Column view: Displays the questions in a two-column format. Consider using this format if many questions have been submitted.
- Random question: Displays a random question in an enlarged format.
The expanded Display menu
Managing screens
Customise what your audience sees by switching between different screens. The options in the Screens menu vary based on the Session or Interactivity type.
- Sign-in instructions: Informs attendees how to access the Pigeonhole. It displays a QR Code and URL that open the Pigeonhole in the Audience Web App, as well as the Event Passcode. To encourage participation, this is the default screen when there are no responses.
- Blank: Displays a blank screen. Consider using this screen when greater focus is required.
- Session title or Interactivity title: This screen can be used when some responses have been received, but the presenter isn’t ready to share the results yet.
- Session description: Enables you to display a description of the Session or instructions for participating in the Session. This option is only available for Event sessions.
- Session statistics or Interactivity statistics: Displays a high-level overview of the activity that took place.
The expanded Screens menu for an Event Session in the Projector Panel
Hide the Sidebar
Located to the left of the Fullscreen button, use this icon to hide the Sidebar during a talk. A moderator for an Event Session can also hide the sidebar remotely by using the Admin Panel.
Maintain a seamless stage presence with the Admin and Moderator Panels
Avoid the distraction of using a mouse or clicking through settings in full view of your attendees. By using the Admin or Moderator Panel, your team can manage every aspect of your Pigeonhole remotely. This allows the Projector Panel to remain clean and focused while the "behind-the-scenes" work happens quietly off-stage.
Note: The Moderator Panel is not supported for Presentation Pigeonholes.
Learn more about remotely controlling the Projector Panel.
When you select a question to feature it on the Projector Panel, it becomes "Active." This action automatically reveals the Comments and Mark Answered buttons, allowing you to manage the question while it is enlarged for the audience.
Once a question is activated, these controls remain visible for the duration of the Session or Interactivity, even if it’s managed through the Admin or Moderator Panel. The display state only resets if the browser page is refreshed or if the Projector Panel is switched to a different Session or Interactivity.