. 2023 Jun 14;4(3):265–281. doi: 10.34197/ats-scholar.2022-0009PS

Table 2.

Suggested considerations when designing and preparing a chalk talk

Questions to Ask While Designing a Board Map
General considerations • What information will you record on the board? Note: what is written/drawn is often what the learners remember. • How will you graphically depict the information you want to convey? • Are there any diagrams or charts that may help you accomplish your learning objectives? • If you want to include a patient history, do not record the entire history and physical on the board. What are the most pertinent points to record?
Board Map Panel 1 (image of the board before the talk) • Will you start with an empty board, or will there be scaffolds/diagrams on the board at the start of the talk? • Does the layout of your board match the order in which you will progress through your desired learning objectives/talking points?
Board Map Panel 2 (image of the board after the talk) • Does the end result convey your desired learning objectives? • Is there information that is missing from your board? • Is there too much written on your board?

Questions to Ask While Preparing the Discussion
General considerations • What talking points will you make while using your board map? • What will you have the learners in your audience explain to the group versus what will you personally explain to the group? • Consider your goals in asking the audience questions to move the discussion forward: Do you want quick, recall-based responses or more nuanced explanations? • While you are writing on the board during the session, are you missing or stumbling over certain points, talking too fast, or turning toward the board too often? • When learners do provide information, such as the diagnoses on their differential, how will you strategically record their responses so that it moves your board map and your conversation forward? Do you record their answers in any particular order, pattern, or cluster so that the responses visually promote the organization of learning points?

Questions to Ask While Preparing the Discussion

General considerations

•
What talking points will you make while using your board map?
•
What will you have the learners in your audience explain to the group versus what will you personally explain to the group?
•
Consider your goals in asking the audience questions to move the discussion forward: Do you want quick, recall-based responses or more nuanced explanations?
•
While you are writing on the board during the session, are you missing or stumbling over certain points, talking too fast, or turning toward the board too often?
•
When learners do provide information, such as the diagnoses on their differential, how will you strategically record their responses so that it moves your board map and your conversation forward? Do you record their answers in any particular order, pattern, or cluster so that the responses visually promote the organization of learning points?

These questions are intended to guide the design and preparation process, particularly when it comes to designing a board map.