TALKBACK GAME HELP
Game Overview
This is one of the quickest and easiest training games to play and it will infuse interactivity and class
participation into any of your current or future training presentations. Setup is minimal, in fact, it’s
almost plug-n-play. To get started, on the Presentation Tools tab in the ribbon bar, choose “ADD
TALKBACK buttons”. This will place a small black button in the corner of each of your presentation slides.
Then, make a few choices on the Game Setup and you’re ready to play as you present!
Presentations can often seem like one-way data dumps to an unsuspecting audience. It’s easy for
unengaged listeners to just allow the information to stream by. But what if we changed the way we
present? TALKBACK is just this, a different way to present. It is, as the name suggests, Interactive,
engaging, fun, and one in which your audience is given the opportunity to” TALKBACK”. It’s fun because
it immerses the class in a game, engaging, because learners are challenged to play and interactive,
because everyone participates. And with everyone discussing the information you’ve presented, it is a
game sure to improve overall learning and retention.
The TALKBACK game is played during your training session to stimulate and infuse interactivity into your
presentation. Learning is enhanced through focused attention while at the same time providing
multiple opportunities to repeat (repeat, repeat, repeat) the information just presented. Here’s how it
works.
Imagine you’ve just covered an interesting topic within your presentation. Instead of moving to the next
subject, you click the TALKBACK button in the corner of your slide and the TALKBACK Main menu
appears. It allows you to randomly select a class participant. Once selected, this class participant
becomes a player in your presentation game. They might be challenged to answer a question, recap the
material just presented, add new information to the discussion or perhaps simply generate a question
they have regarding what was just presented. They’re eager to play because they’ll be scored and will
earn team points for their responses in accordance with the game rules. Once points are awarded,
you’re back to presenting, but now to an audience that is highly interested, focused and eagerly
awaiting the next player’s turn.
Developing and setting up most games can be time consuming. Time that most presenters don’t have!
Our goal in offering the TALKBACK game is to minimize development and setup time. Once you’ve
added (with one click) the TALKBACK buttons into your presentation, it is easy to popup the TALKBACK
main menu anytime or place it is needed during your presentation. Here you’ll be able to choose
players, pose our general or your customized questions, and score your game participants. We also
added a couple of game timers to help manage your presentation flow.
There are many different ways to play the TALKBACK game and really only limited by your imagination.
The learning principals you’ll be incorporating into your presentation are powerful; focused attention,
participation, and repetition for retention. The game includes 13 probing questions designed to
challenge game participants to recap, explore, add-to, as well as inquire about information just
presented. After a review of the games features, we have included several suggested games to play
below along with additional playing options. Play them as suggested or mix-n-match them as you see
fit.
Let’s now imagine I’m about to developed a great presentation, and I want to use the TALKBACK game
during the presentation. After I’ve completed developing my presentation, I’ll add the TALKBACK
buttons to each of my presentation slides with just one click on the “Add Game Buttons” button. (Note:
The Talkback buttons are found under the Presentation Tools tab in your PowerPoint menus after
installing the application & shown below).
Notice I can bring up the TALKBACK application from the tabs on my PowerPoint
menu while in EDIT view, as well as from every slide in my presentation while in
PowerPoint presentation view (shown below on next page).
Initially I’ll see a popup (left) that offers me a
choice to add or delete (all) the TALKBACK
buttons to slides within my presentation.
A second (below) popup informs me that I should only add the TALKBACK buttons when I have
completed my presentation because slides I add after the fact will not include TALKBACK buttons on
them unless I repeat this “Add Talkback buttons” process. Click YES to add buttons.
Here’s a look at the first slide in my presentation. Notice the small black button in the top left of the
slide. This button will now be found on all your presentation slides and the one I’ll press whenever I
want to access the TALKBACK game. When it is clicked the TALKBACK scoreboard appears along with
navigation buttons (Highlighted) to reach the game setup and other game features (shown at bottom of
this page).
THE SCOREBOARD
PLAYER/TEAM NAMES: Below we see a view of the main score board. We got here by clicking on the
1st tab on the left labelled SCOREBOARD. The game includes names for up to 40 players/teams. Each
player or team has an adjacent score box. Clicking on the (+/-) will increase/decrease the score by 1 or
by the point multiplier you select in the setup.
Here is a look at the scoreboard setup for 8 teams. You’ll notice that all teams have been named and
scored. Selection of the number of players/teams is done in the setup however the actual team or
player names can be edited right on the scoreboard itself. Notice that the Orange Team is actually down
10 points and the yellow highlight next to the White Team indicates that they were the last team scored.
But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves and take a look at how this scoreboard and other features
are setup.
THE SETUP
Above you can see one of the two setup popups. Again there are two ways to
reach the setup screens. First, from your PowerPoint menu and in PowerPoint
EDIT MODE you’ll be able to click on GAME Menu button (pictured left).
In addition, once Talkback buttons are added to all your slides and while in
PowerPoint SLIDESHOW VIEW, you’ll be able to reach either setup screen by just
clicking on the small black button shown above (Pg. 3 Top) on the sample title
slide. In fact, clicking on the small black button found on all your slides will give
you access to the main game buttons ( SCOREBOARD, CHOOSE PLAYER, SHOW QUESTION) as well as the
(2) setup buttons (PLAYER & MORE and QUESTIONS/PRIZES – all these game navigation buttons are
highlighted in red on the graphic below).
Let’s take a look at the functions on the first setup screen entitled PLAYERS & MORE.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS/TEAMS: This first feature controls how many players or teams appear on the
Main Scoreboard. You can have from 1 to 40 players or teams. The graphic at the top of this page is set
for 40 players and can be adjusted using the slider bar shown above. The CLEAR ALL NAMES button
clears all the names from the Player/Team names on the Setup. There are also several ways to name
your teams or players. You can simply type in player/team names on the Main Scoreboard or use preset buttons on the setup entitled SET DEFAULT NAMES or NAMES BASED ON CARDS (shown above).
SET DEFAULT NAMES: Many presenters choose not to enter each of their participant names in
the program, so we’ve made it easy to just use numbers (Player 1, Player 2 etc.). Included in the
ZIP file you received from TGI is a file called NameGrids.pptx. Here you’ll find some cut out
squares which can be distributed to the class to quickly assign player numbers for the game.
See the help tab labeled, “Using with Web Conferencing” for tips on how to assign player
numbers during a web conference.
NAMES BASED ON CARDS: We’ve also provided an easy system to assign player/team names
using a regular deck of playing cards (sample “playing card” scoreboard below). We’ve used
cards beginning with the Ace to the Ten card within each of 4 suites (10 of Spades, 10 of Clubs,
10 of Hearts and 10 of Diamonds = 40 in total player/team names). The presenter would simply
use the number of cards equal to his or her number of players/teams and deal these out
accordingly. In effect, each card would represent a player or team.
Presenters may want to use both Player and Team names in a game. They could of course type these
into the Scoreboard (Red Team – Robert W, Green Team – Mary S), or use the SET NAMES FOR 2 or 4
TEAMS buttons. These buttons effectively divide the Scoreboard into 2 or 4 teams while also assigning
each player a number (Team 1 – (1), Team 1 – (2) etc.) Below are sample Scoreboards setup for 2 and 4
teams with assigned player numbers. Note: Team 1 has one extra player with a total of 21 players.
Two Teams and Player Numbers
Four Teams and Player Numbers
Many presenters will want to type class names into the scoreboard and may want this set of names to
be readily available for other presentations. In addition, some presenters may have several different
groups of class participants, and will want to rotate these name sets into the scoreboard when needed.
TALKBACK allows you to type a set of names into the scoreboard, export these names to a text file, and
then import them back into the game whenever needed. Here are the steps for creating and for
importing a set of names.
EXPORTING A SET OF NAMES
1. Type your class names into the game’s scoreboard
2. In the above text box (Edit Export TXT filename:) type a name for your text file. We typed in:
Period 7 Class Names below.
3. Click the EXPORT TO TXT FILE NAME ABOVE button
4. Select the directory into which you want to save the file (Below: we chose to put this one on our
desktop - below)
5. The below popup tells you the text file has been created.
IMPORTING A SET OF NAMES
1. Click the IMPORT FROM TXT FILE button
2. Navigate to the directory in which you exported the text file (We placed the file named “Period
7 Class Names” on our desktop and shown below)
3. A popup informs you your set of names have been imported and placed on the game’s
scoreboard and is shown below.
POINTS MULTIPLIER (Shown below): This button adds points to a players score in multiples of whatever
number is selected. Thus, referencing the setup screen above, each time a player or teams Plus or
Minus button is pressed on the Main Scoreboard, 10 points will be either added or deducted from the
player/team score. Common point multipliers are 1, 10, 100 and 200.
MAX. RANDOM NUMBER (Shown above): This is the maximum number range for the Random Number
Generator on the Menu. It can simulate a dice roll, select point values, select teams or players, draw a
raffle ticket from a range of numbers, play BINGO, serve as a tie-breaker or anything else you like. The
range for this feature is 1 to 1000, and with each click a new random number from the set range is
automatically selected. We will discuss this feature further below.
NOTE: Remember to go to the Presentation Tools tab in the Ribbon Bar to Add Game Buttons to all your
slides. This will ensure that you will always be able to bring up the Presentation TALKBACK Main Menu
while presenting (in SLIDESHOW mode).
CLEAR ALL SCORES: Clears all scores recorded on the main scoreboard. In essence, scores for any game
are always retained for you on the scoreboard while you’re in PowerPoint and until the CLEAR ALL
SCORES button is used. This is also true even after exiting out of your PowerPoint presentation, if you
SAVE or SAVE AS changes upon exiting PowerPoint.
GAME HELP: The GAME HELP button will open this Help document without having to close the
TALKBACK application.
The last item on this screen (Shown left) appears directly under the
CLEAR NAMES AND SET DEFAULT NAMES buttons. The function of this
button is to place a “TALKBACK Time” text box on various slides in your
presentation. The text box will contain a
message to remind you it is time to play
your TALKBACK game. While in
PowerPoint edit mode, clicking the ADD
button, will insert a flashing message on
the current PowerPoint slide (shown
right).
The Message you place on each slide is
editable, will flash only a few seconds, and again must be inserted from edit mode in PowerPoint. This
means, while in edit mode, you’ll click the GAME MENU tab on your ribbon bar, then PLAYERS & MORE
to reach this ADD button. This button placed strategically in your presentation, works as a handy
reminder of when you wanted to introduce a game question or exercise.
Here is a summary of the buttons just reviewed
PLAYERS OR TEAM NAMES BUTTONS:
 CLEAR ALL NAMES: This clears all the names from the Player/Team Names on the Setup.
 SET DEFAULT NAMES: This button sets some default names.
 SET NAMES FOR 2 TEAMS: Press to set 2 generic team/player names.
 SET NAMES FOR 4 TEAMS: Press to set 4 generic team/player names.
 NAMES BASED ON CARDS: Assigns names to players as playing card names (3 of Hearts, 10 of
diamonds). Host can then have players select cards to identify themselves during the game.
 TALKBACK TIME (ADD Button): This button adds a small flashing red bar in the top right corner
of the slide. Its function is to act as a reminder that you need to access the TALKBACK game
while on this slide.
 EXPORT TO TEXT FILE NAME ABOVE: This button will export to a text file the names you have
typed into the scoreboard.

IMPORT TEXT FROM FILE: This button will bring the names you placed in an exported text file
back into the scoreboard.
Let’s now look at the QUESTION/PRIZES SETUP SCREEN
QUESTIONS ORDER: There are 13 text boxes for questions or prizes on the second setup screen in the
TALKBACK application. Select the RANDOM or SEQUENTIAL radio button to indicate how you wish
these questions/prizes to be delivered to you during the game. Often a presenter will want specific
questions posed at various points within their presentation. If this is the case, the presenter would
choose to have questions delivered sequentially. You may want to indicate in your presentation exactly
when and where you want to inject a game question.
Let’s take a look at this second setup screen before moving on to the features you’ll use when playing
the game.
QUESTIONS/PRIZES: We've developed default questions (above) and
default prizes that can be used with your audience when presenting.
For example, after presenting a module in a training program, a
presenter might interject the default question, "Recap or summarize
what the instructor has just presented". In this way your class
participants have an opportunity to not only interact and think about
what has been presented, but also to repeat, in their own words, what
they have just heard. This naturally increases learning retention. The
default questions are general in nature and can be introduced
randomly or in sequence.
To automatically input our default questions or prizes click the SET
DEFAULT QUESTIONS or SET DEFAULT PRIZES buttons shown on the
right (blue highlight).
The CLEAR ALL button deletes all information found in the text boxes.
CUSTOM TEXT: SAVE/RESTORE: These two buttons (highlighted in red
above & right) work to save the custom questions or prize text you may have typed into the TALKBACK
application and believe you’ll want to use again in subsequent games. After typing in the text, press the
SAVE button. Now when setting up the game you’ll be able to press the RESTORE button to recall the
custom questions or prizes text for use in the game. TALKBACK will only save one set of question/prizes
text at a time and these are refreshed each time the SAVE button is pressed. In addition, the set of
custom questions/prizes you create are associated or “linked to” the specific “file” presentation you are
currently working on (and they were originally developed for). They can only be “restored” when you
are using this file in PowerPoint. Essentially we’ve designed the application to stored different question
sets for each of your various training presentations.
Question Order: Questions or prizes can be shown randomly or in the sequence they are listed (1 – 13).
A list of our default questions/prizes is shown below. Click the RANDOM or SEQUENCIAL button to set
how questions will be presented during the game.
Check boxes (Shown below)
Unchecking the boxes next to the question/prizes textbox prevents this question or prize from
appearing in the game.
Note: When a checkmark is placed next to a text box with no information found in the text box, there is
the potential this blank will appear when playing the game.
When all text is deleted from any of the text boxes, the check box will be automatically be unchecked
and as a function, will not appear in the game. The below graphic contains the default questions we
provide with TALKBACK.
Optionally you can enter your own prizes in these 13 textboxes (below). Our (10) suggested default
prizes are shown
below.
THE GAME BUTTONS:
SCOREBOARD BUTTON
Let’s move on now to see how the features we’ve established in the setup are used in a game. Clicking
on the Scoreboard button brings you to the games scoreboard. Below you can see that this game has
been setup for 8 teams, with scoring done in multiples of ten. The orange team’s score is shown in red
(-10), indicating they may have lost points by answering a question incorrectly. The yellow highlight
next to the White team’s name indicates that they were the last team scored.
Here we’ve clicked the above shown collapse button at the bottom of the navigating buttons. This
will allow you to see most of your presentation slide yet keep the game menu open and easily
accessible.
In addition the COLLAPSE button has been replaced with page up and down arrows. This will allow you
to show and move through your presentation with the navigating buttons still on screen.
CHOOSE PLAYER
Clicking the CHOOSE PLAYER button brings you to the below popup. When you click on the large yellow
button in the center of the popup a team, player, or, both are randomly selected. In effect you’ll be able
to select teams or players randomly when playing your game. This can be used for selecting class
participants to answer questions, recap information or to do an exercise. In addition this popup offers a
random number selector. Clicking here will randomly select a number from the range of numbers
you’ve identified in the setup. This number might represent the number of points a player will earn if
they answer a question correctly or for any purpose you have defined in your game rules. Every time
you press these buttons a new team/player or number is randomly selected.
SHOW QUESTION
The SHOW QUESTION button can be used to introduce a question to a player or team in your audience.
Clicking here will either randomly or sequentially show our default questions or prizes built into the
game. Alternatively, and depending on your setup selections, it can display the custom questions/prizes
you’ve developed to compliment your presentation. Again, every time you click the button, it will
generate a new question/prize. When SEQUENTIAL presentation is selected in the setup, questions will
repeat beginning from the top of the list. You’ll also note you have a random number selector on the
SHOW QUESTION popup as well. Finally there is a ten, twenty and thirty second timer button below the
question. These can be used to time the respondents and help serve to keep your game moving along.
Clicking the timer button starts the timer and a succession of beeping sounds occur to let you know
when the time has expired.
RUN TIMER
The RUN TIMER buttons provide you with a very large and visible hour, minute and second timer. This
timer provides the same 10, 20 and 30 second timer buttons shown on the SHOW QUESTION popup and
additionally a 1 to 240 minute (4 hour) timer. In this regard, the timer is great for quick question
responses as well as for timing longer training exercises.
RULES/NOTES
The game also provides you an editable screen for game rules, session notes and/or follow up questions.
Finally you’ll notice you have a large red CLOSE button at the bottom of each of these popups. This
button will, of course, close the TALKBACK game. The TALKBACK game is then again opened by clicking
the small black button found in the upper left hand corner of each of your presentation slides.
USING TALKBACK TO PLAY A GAME
The TALKBACK application is designed to engage your audience during your presentation. It does this by
providing different game elements like challenging questions, timers, scoreboards and random
selectors. The way the game is played however, is really up to you! Below we’ve created a series of
suggested games that you can play or reference to create your own TALKBACK game.
SUGGESTED GAMES
*First here are some general game suggestions that we recommend for all games
RULES. As the presenter, explain to the audience that you will not only be presenting, but
simultaneously playing a game. In addition, your audience will be able to score points for their
participation. Let them know of any prize/s they will receive should they win the game. Prizes can be of
value (gift certificate/cash/etc.) or just for fun (big round of applause/extra coffee break/etc.). The
presenter explains that occasionally during their presentation, class participants will be selected to
provide facts, recaps, questions or other material drawn from the information just presented. It is
important that the player response references the specific part of the presentation “just presented”.
If a timer is required, a 10, 20 or 30 Second timer, as well as a minute timer (which can be set for 1 to
240 minutes) can be activated in the game. Finally, the presenter tells the class to “get ready”, because
they may be called upon at any time. *See individual games for additional rules.
PHYSICAL SETUP. If using numbers to identify players then either cut out and distribute numbers to all
participants. Number cut outs are provided in the file entitled “NameGrids.pptx”. Playing card names (3
of Clubs, Ace of Hearts) can also be instantly input into the Player/Team names boxes using the game
setup. Corresponding cards from a regular deck of playing cards can then be distributed to class
participants as player identifiers during the game.*See individual games for additional Physical Setup.
Note: We always recommend using a second remote mouse. The button functions within the game are
quickly learned and with a little direction from the presenter, an audience member can use the second
mouse to operate the game.
TALKBACK SETUP. Select the number of teams/players in your game (1 – 40) within the game setup.
Enter the participant’s names into the TALKBACK Scoreboard or use any of the three “SET NAMES”
buttons found in the setup and mentioned above. Depending on which game is used, enter either
questions or prizes into the Questions/Prizes boxes. Uncheck unwanted textboxes so they do not
appear in the Question/Prizes random generator. Enter your preferred Point Multiplier and any Number
Range applicable to your game. Press the Clear All Scores button to get ready for a new game. *See
individual games for additional TALKBACK Setup.
Suggested Games
The TALKBACK Game
Game Objective: Class participants compete with one another to compile the most points and win the
game.
RULES. The presenter begins their presentation but will periodically stop presenting to select a player.
The presenter can set the game timer (RUN TIMER TAB in setup) for a given duration (One – Two hours).
The presenter will then select one of the 13 TALKBACK default questions using the Question/Prizes
random generator. The player responds to the question. 10 Points are scored for a relevant response.
After scoring, the presentation continues. Note: This game can also be played in teams taking turns to
answer questions. The yellow highlight adjacent to the team/player name on the scoreboard indicates
the last team/player scored. If selecting teams/player randomly, the presenter may need to click the
random player button several times to select the “next up” team/player.
PLAY SEQUENCE.
1. Select a random player using the Random Player button. To do so, click the small black button
in the top left corner of any slide to display the TALKBACK main menu.
2. Press the Question/Prize button to choose a question for the player.
3. Depending on their answer, post their score. Continue with your presentation.
Note: When scoring our general default questions, the presenter may need to make a subjective
decision as to the number of points to award for the response given.
PHYSICAL SETUP. If using numbers or playing cards to identify players distribute accordingly.
TALKBACK SETUP. Add number of players/teams in setup, and type player team names into the
scoreboard. Alternatively use SET DEFAULT NAMES or SET NAMES BASED ON CARDS in setup. Add up to
13 of the default TALKBACK questions in the Question/Prizes boxes on the setup. You may also want to
edit some of the default questions. Uncheck any unwanted questions. Select whether or not you want
the questions presented sequentially or randomly. Select 10 as the Point Multiplier on the setup.
Note: See the “*Applies to All Games” tab for the basic setup for this game. The above text is in
addition to these rules.
The Q&A Game
RULES. The presenter explains that occasionally during their presentation, audience or class participants
will be selected to provide either:
1. A relevant question about the current information being presented or…
2. Two facts that were just presented (from information just presented) or…
3. Some additional and relevant new information they know about the specific topic.
(1) Providing a relevant question is worth 1 point.
(2) Recalling (2) facts from the information just presented will be worth 2 points and
(3) Contributing additional and relevant new information to the presentation will be worth 3 points.
If the selected participant is unable to reply within a given time limit (use the 10, 20, 0r 30
second timer) they will lose 1 point.
PLAY SEQUENCE.
1. When planned, click the small black button in the top left corner of any slide to display the
TALKBACK Menu.
2. Press the Random Player button to choose a player.
Note: The above 3 player responses can be loaded into the SHOW QUESTION feature in the
setup and set for random or sequential presentation. The 3 responses will repeat from the top
of the list of questions when Sequential presentation is selected. Alternatively, post the possible
responses and point values in front of the room, allowing the respondent to choose any one of
the three for their response.
3. Depending on their answer, post their score. Continue with your presentation.
PHYSICAL SETUP. Add the three bullet points (above) to the questions/prizes area in the game setup.
Alternatively these same bullet points could also be written on a flip chart or whiteboard. Select 1 as the
Point Multiplier on the setup.
TALKBACK SETUP. Add number of players in setup, and type player names into the scoreboard.
Alternatively use SET DEFAULT NAMES or SET NAMES BASED ON CARDS in setup. Add TALKBACK
reminder buttons if using the random/sequential question feature in the application. Type the three
questions/statement shown above into the QUESTION/PRIZES text box, click sequential or random and
uncheck any unused text boxes.
Note: See the “*Applies to All Games” tab for the basic setup for this game. The above text is in
addition to these rules.
What’s the Point Game
Game Objective: The instructor explains to the class that the object of this game is for the class to be
able to recall (set by the instructor) key points “JUST” presented. Points are awarded for the key points
recalled, and the player with the most points at the end of the game wins!
RULES. Let the class know how many points are earned for each key point recalled. The presenter
explains that a slide stating “What’s the Point” and the number of key points available for recall will
appear at various times during their presentation. When it does, a player will be selected at random
and given xx seconds to recap as many of the key points they can from the information just presented.
If any key points are missed by the first player, a second random player is selected to answer, then a
third and so on. Points are awarded to and recorded for each participating player. One point is scored
for each key point recalled. When all key points for this section of the presentation are recalled, or when
two players, in succession, fail to add a remaining key point; the round is over. The instructor reveals
any missed key points and continues presenting.
PLAY SEQUENCE.
1. When the “What’s the Point” slide appears, click the small black button in the top left corner of
any slide to display the TALKBACK Menu.
2. Press the Random Player button to choose a player then click the (10, 20 or 30) second timer. If
the first player fails to recall all key points pre-defined by the instructor within xx seconds, other
players are selected at random and given an opportunity to earn points for recalling any missing
key points.
a. Note: This game can be played in teams, however, instead of random player selection,
teams play in turn. The first team player (selected randomly) will recall as many key
points as they can within the given time period, then the challenge is passed to the next
team player in line. Team players can be sequentially numbered so if player 3 starts,
player 4 is next up and so on.
3. When all key points are recalled or two players in succession fail to add a missing key point
within the given 10 seconds, the round is over.
4. Post scores for each player. Continue with your presentation.
PHYSICAL SETUP. Add “What’s the Point” slides at selected locations within your presentation. Predefine and record the key points you’re looking for within each section of your presentation.
TALKBACK SETUP. Add number of players/teams in setup, and type player/team names into the
scoreboard. Alternatively use SET DEFAULT NAMES, Add Names for 2 teams, Add Names for 4 teams, or
SET NAMES BASED ON CARDS in setup. Set Point multiplier to one. Add TALKBACK reminder buttons if
using the random/sequential question feature in the application.
Note: See the “*Applies to All Games” tab for the basic setup for this game. The above text is in
addition to these rules.
The 3 Strikes Game
Game Objective: The instructor explains to the class that the object of this game is for teams to
correctly respond to question asked about the information “JUST” presented. Points are awarded for
the correct answers, and the team with the most points at the end of the game wins!
RULES. This game is best played as a team game. Break the group into 2 or 4 teams. The presenter
explains that occasionally during their presentation, questions will appear on a slide or generated
randomly from the TALKBACK game. A random team is selected to take the first question using the
Random Player/Team button. Teams then rotating in turn will be selected to answer the subsequent
questions. If they get the answer correct, they earn points as determined by the instructor. If incorrect,
they get a STRIKE (-1 recorded on the scoreboard). 3 strikes and you’re out; the team is disqualified.
Minus or Point Strikes are deducted from the team’s final score when scores are calculated at the end of
the game. The remaining teams, with the most points, at the end of the presentation wins. This game
requires a bit more preparation (inserting questions either in the presentation itself or within the text
boxes on setup), but allows for key questions to be discussed/reviewed during the presentation.
PLAY SEQUENCE.
1. When a call for a question is prompted or appears on a slide, click the small black button in the
top left corner of any slide to display the TALKBACK Menu.
2. Press the Random Player button to choose a starting team. After an initial team is randomly
chosen, select teams in turn (yellow highlight indicates which team was scored last).
3. Depending on their answer, post either a point or a strike (plus or negative 1). The instructor can
assign different point values to questions if they so desire.
4. Continue with your presentation. Ensure that each team is given the same amount of
opportunities to answer questions. Teams can be allowed a set amount of time to deliver their
answer to the presenter.
PHYSICAL SETUP. Insert several slides with relevant questions throughout your presentation slide deck
or input questions specific to your presentation materials into the QUESTIONS/PRIZES screen in the
TALKBACK application. Ensure teams receive the same amount of questions in the game.
TALKBACK SETUP. Example for setting up names for 4 teams:
Select 8 from the “Select Number of Player/Teams to Show on Menu” radio buttons. Enter Player 1
name as “Team A Points”, enter Player 2 name as “Team B Points”, enter Player 3 name as “Team C
Points”, enter Player 4 name as “Team D Points”. Now in Player 5 name enter “Team A Strikes”, enter
Player 6 name as “Team B Strikes”, enter Player 7 name as “Team C Strikes” and enter Player 8 name as
“Team D Strikes”. (Note: For two teams simply select 4 from the “Select Number of Player/Teams to
Show on Menu” radio buttons and name as indicated above). Insert several slides with relevant
questions throughout your presentation slide deck or input questions specific to your presentation
materials into the QUESTIONS/PRIZES screen in the TALKBACK application. Ensure teams receive the
same amount of questions in the game. Set Point multiplier to one. Add TALKBACK reminder buttons if
using the random/sequential question feature in the application.
Note: See the “*Applies to All Games” tab for the basic setup for this game. The above text is in
addition to these rules.
Game Options: Here are some options you might want to deploy in your TALKBACK game rules.
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If a player cannot come up with a question or fact in the 10 seconds, they can ask for a lifeline.
They can then choose another player who has raised their hands and allow them to reply. If it is
acceptable to the presenter, then first player avoids a loss and the other player gets the points.
All points awarded are at the discretion of the presenter.
Games can also be played in teams.
Multiple players can be selected to answer questions if needed.
Slides can be added to the presentation to ask specific questions or trigger a game.
Players names can be added to the setup to avoid using numbers.
Timers can be used anywhere you want to keep your presentation moving along.
Our suggested games above are just that “suggested”. Our hope is that these game rules will stimulate
other ideas for games you can play with the TALKBACK application.
If the presenter prefers to stand in front of the room to present and not use a computer, then they can
designate someone to help them during the presentation. The game requires only a few mouse clicks to
operate and is very simple to use. Suggestion: A presenter may also set up a second remote mouse for
use by an audience member in scoring the game.
Suggested Questions
The questions or actions used by the TALKBACK game are general in nature and designed to stimulate
additional thoughts and questions about what has been presented as well as repeat or recap what’s
been presented in order to solidify the learning. Here are the 13 default questions provided within the
game.:
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Recap or summarize what the instructor has just presented.
Provide one key point that most interested OR surprised you from what was just presented.
Based on what was just presented, describe a skill/knowledge you'll be able to now apply.
Provide an additional or new fact that you've just learned from the instructor.
Ask a relevant question OR a more detailed explanation of something just presented.
Create a rhyming phrase or word to help us remember the point just presented.
Create a metaphor or short fictional story about a concept just presented.
Relate what you know about a FAMOUS person (living or dead) with the information just
presented.
Present a strong argument for what was just presented and why it's important.
Journey through any 3 rooms of your house, locating three items, concepts or ideas just
presented.
Imagine writing a poem or song about what was just presented. What would the title be?
Imagine the last bit of information presented as a vehicle. What type of vehicle would it be and
why?
Recall two facts from the information just presented
Obviously you can develop your own more specific questions
Using with Web Conferencing
Consider using the TALKBACK application when everyone is not in the same physical location,
The game can be used with any web conferencing software that provides a CHAT function.
The presenter can either type player names into the game or assign players a number as they join the
conference meeting. Most web conferencing Chat features also allow players to change their name. Just
ask them to add the assigned number onto the end of their name. Now when they see their assigned
number (i.e. - Player 3) in the TALKBACK game, they will know that it is their turn to play.
Players can respond to questions either verbally during the conference meeting or by using the chat
function.
Some conferencing software offers a BREAKROOM function, which allow teams to privately breakout
and discuss questions during a game. This is a great function when playing with online teams.
Contact Us
TALKBACK is a Training Games Inc. product. We welcome your comments and questions by contacting
us at [email protected]. Training Games will offer special discounts to Teachers and past
purchasers on request. Please contact us for further information regarding future purchases. We also
sell this product on Amazon and welcome and appreciate product reviews. Thank you for purchasing
this game and we are hopeful you will look to Training Games Inc. for other fun and interactive training
games.