The leaf blower problem in online video calls is a phenomenon that occurs when one participant in a call is experiencing a very loud background noise, such as the sound of a leaf blower. Still, the background noise reduction system of the video calling platform can successfully eliminate that noise for the other participants. This can create a gap in the shared experience of the participants, as the people who cannot hear the noise may wonder why the person who can is distracted or not paying attention.
The leaf blower problem is a new manifestation of an old problem in human-centred AI and UX design, known as a "grounding error." Grounding errors occur when two or more people are communicating, but they need a shared understanding of the context of their conversation. In the case of the leaf blower problem, the people who cannot hear the noise do not have the same understanding of the situation as the person who can. This can lead to misunderstandings and frustration.
A few things can be done to mitigate the leaf blower problem. One is to use a video calling platform offering more granular control over reducing background noise. This allows users to choose how much noise reduction they want to apply, and it can help to avoid situations where the noise reduction is too aggressive and removes essential context from the conversation.
Another way to mitigate the leaf blower problem is to be mindful of your surroundings on video calls. If you know you will be in a noisy environment, try to find a quieter place to talk. You can also use a headset or microphone with background noise cancellation to help reduce the amount of noise picked up.
Finally, if you are the person who can hear the noise, try to let the other participants know what is going on. You can say, "I'm so sorry, but a leaf blower is running outside my window. I can hear it, but I don't think you can. Please let me know if you need me to repeat anything." By being aware of the leaf blower problem and taking steps to mitigate it, we can help to create a more inclusive and productive experience for everyone on video calls
A group of GP tutors are participating in an online workshop. One of the tutors, Dr. Smith, sits in her garden on a warm spring day. She has her laptop on her garden table and uses a headset to participate in the workshop. Suddenly, a neighbour starts up their leaf blower. The noise is very loud and Dr. Smith can hear it clearly, even though she is wearing a headset. However, the other participants in the workshop cannot attend the leaf blower because Dr. Smith's laptop uses background noise reduction.
Dr. Smith is now distracted by the leaf blower and needs help to focus entirely on the workshop. She also feels self-conscious about the noise and worries that the other participants will think she is not paying attention. Dr. Smith could try to move to a quieter location, but she wants to attend the workshop. She could also try to turn up the volume on her laptop, but this would make it difficult for the other participants to hear her. Dr. Smith could send a quick message to the other participants in the workshop to let them know about the leaf blower. She could say something like, "I'm so sorry, but a leaf blower is running outside my window. I can hear it, but I don't think you can. Please let me know if you need me to repeat anything."
By being aware of the leaf blower problem and taking steps to mitigate it, Dr Smith can help ensure everyone has a positive and productive experience in the workshop.
Additional thoughts:
The workshop facilitator could also be aware of the leaf blower problem and take steps to help Dr. Smith. For example, the facilitator could give Dr. Smith more time to respond to questions, or they could ask her to repeat herself if necessary.
The workshop facilitator could also remind all participants to be mindful of their surroundings on video calls. This could help reduce the number of times the leaf blower problem occurs.
Overall, the leaf blower problem is a relatively minor issue. Still, it is essential to be aware of it so that we can take steps to mitigate it and create a more inclusive and productive experience for everyone on video calls.
Alice sees Dr. Phoenix for a sore throat and a fever. Dr. Phoenix diagnoses her with a virus and gives her some pills and tips. Alice is unhappy with his explanation and advice. She wonders if he missed something or if he cares about her. She nods and does not say anything.
This case shows a grounding error because Dr. Phoenix and Alice do not share the same understanding of their talk. Dr. Phoenix thinks Alice knows what he means and does. Alice does not tell him what she feels and needs. They need to communicate better.
Dr. Jones is a GP tutor supervising a medical student named Sam. Sam is observing Dr. Jones as he consults with a patient named Bob. Bob has come to the clinic with a rash on his arm and a headache. Dr. Jones examines Bob’s arm and asks about his symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. He then tells Bob he has a fungal infection and prescribes an antifungal cream and paracetamol. He also advises him to avoid scratching the rash and to keep it clean and dry. Sam is confused by Dr. Jones’s diagnosis and treatment. He thinks Dr. Jones did not rule out other possible causes of Bob’s rash, such as an allergic reaction or a bacterial infection. He also wonders why Dr. Jones did not order tests or refer Bob to a dermatologist. He feels that Dr. Jones did not provide enough information or education to Bob about his condition and how to prevent it from recurring.
This case illustrates a grounding error because Dr. Jones and Sam needed a shared understanding of the context of their observation. Dr. Jones assumed Sam understood his clinical reasoning, decision-making, and communication skills. He did not check if Sam had any questions or feedback or if he agreed with his diagnosis and treatment. Sam, on the other hand, did not express his doubts or ask for clarification from Dr. Jones. He did not tell him what he expected from him or what he wanted to learn more about. As a result, they both missed the opportunity to establish a common ground and to improve their teaching and learning experience.