Jeff Walkowski
Itracks Webinar Series
January 14, 2010
Getting the Most From OLFGs:
Top Tips for Moderators
Agenda
Background
Top Tips for Chats
Q & A
BackgroundJointly developed with Casey Sweet
25+ years of online experience
Co-chaired Online Task Force
Train online moderators
Published articles/books
Other NotesThese tips are based on:
Personal experienceObserving studentsListening to respondents
“Online Moderating 202”
Three Sets of Tips
MANAGE
INSPIRE
HUMANIZE
Three Sets of Tips
MANAGE
INSPIRE
HUMANIZE*
Tips to Manage the Flow
1. Deliver guidelines
2. Avoid sideline conversations
3. Ask one question at a time
4. Provide transitions
5. Rely on Tech Support MANAGE
Tip #1
Lay down appropriate guidelines at the beginning
MANAGE
Guidelines
1. “Listen” and “talk” to each other – not just to me.
2. Stick to the topic.
3. Heed the “STOP!” request if it occurs.
4. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar
5. Don’t worry about how fast (or slow) you type.
6. It’s OK to disagree, but do it in a nice way.
7. If you get “bumped,” just log back in.
8. If I seem to disappear, wait for me.
MANAGE
‘Don’t wory abuot spellin eras as we will al makke them.’
MANAGE
Tip #2
Avoid engaging in sideline IDIs
MANAGE
Tip #3
Provide transitions from one topic to another
MANAGE
Please finish your posts so we can move to another topic.
Let’s switch gears and talk
about something
else.
I wish we had time to discuss
this further, but I need to
move us along.
Ready to move
on?
MANAGE
Casey (Mod): 4. HOW LONG DO YOU TYPICALLY LISTEN TO THIS STATION? DO YOU THEN SWITCH TO ANOTHER STATION OR TURN THE RADIO OFF?
Kimberly: 3. I usually don't listen to the radio first thing in the morning.
Joan: 4. all day
Kimberly: 4. By mid morning I have XXX on. I don’t like a lot of talk radio.
Jennifer: 4-mostly all day long
Nickie: 4. 3 hours & I turn off the radio
Heather: 4 - for about an hour then i shut it off
Casey (Mod): KIMBERLY, WHEN DO YOU USUALLY START LISTENING AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN UP AT THAT POINT?
Joan: 4. only chage if they are playong a song I hate
Jenefer: 4.I switch to Kson about noon.
Karen: 4 on and off all day
Kimberly: I usually listen through out the day on the computer.
Casey (Mod): 5. ARE YOU LISTENING TO THIS STATION AT WORK OR ANOTHER STATION? PLEASE EXPLAIN.
Monica: 4. I listen to all of Jeff & Jer's show then I turn it off
MANAGE
Tip #4
Ask one question at a time
MANAGE
Casey (Mod): 4. HOW LONG DO YOU TYPICALLY LISTEN TO THIS STATION? DO YOU THEN SWITCH TO ANOTHER STATION OR TURN THE RADIO OFF?
Kimberly: 3. I usually don't listen to the radio first thing in the morning.
Joan: 4. all day
Kimberly: 4. By mid morning I have XXX on. I don’t like a lot of talk radio.
Jennifer: 4-mostly all day long
Nickie: 4. 3 hours & I turn off the radio
Heather: 4 - for about an hour then i shut it off
Casey (Mod): KIMBERLY, WHEN DO YOU USUALLY START LISTENING AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN UP AT THAT POINT?
Joan: 4. only chage if they are playong a song I hate
Jennifer: 4.I switch to Kson about noon.
Karen: 4 on and off all day
Kimberly: I usually listen through out the day on the computer.
MANAGE
Tip #5
Rely on Tech Support
MANAGE
What Tech Support Can Do For You
MANAGE
Check technical things
Primary greeter to respondents
General instructions
Take care of latecomers
Help in emergencies
Three Sets of Tips
MANAGE
INSPIRE
HUMANIZE
*
Tips to Inspire Participation
6. Keep a good pace
7. Monitor participation
8. Foster interaction
9. Use the whiteboard
INSPIRE
Tip #6
Keep a good pace
INSPIRE
How to Set a Pace
Slow down!
Read before asking next question
Allow respondents to read, too
Don’t leave respondents behind
Back-track, re-ask as needed INSPIRE
Tip #7Monitor participation
INSPIRE
Tip #8
Foster interaction
INSPIRE
Don’t just answer my
questions, but “talk” to each
other.
Joe said X. Do you agree or disagree
with him? Be sure explain.
Scroll up and review the
ideas mentioned. Which one
appeals to you most?
INSPIRE
Tip #9
Use the Whiteboard
INSPIRE
Whiteboard Uses Guidelines
Keywords
Fill-in the blank stems
Picture of you
Other relevant imagesINSPIRE
Three Sets of Tips
MANAGE
INSPIRE
HUMANIZE
*
Tips to Humanize the Experience
10. Greet them in Waiting Room
11. Use respondents’ names
12. Inject personality into the group
13. Assure about incentives
HUMANIZE
Tip #10
Greet respondents in the Waiting Room
HUMANIZE
Tip #11
Use respondents’ names
HUMANIZE
Jeff Why's it important to ask more questions of people by name?
“Shows that you are paying attention”
“Keeps us personally involved”
“So you feel like it matters that you respond”
“So that person can clarify on their answer”
HUMANIZE
Tip #12
Inject one’s personality into the group
HUMANIZE
Ways to Inject Personality
Compose guide like you speak Go along with humor Recover from gaffes/delays Introduce yourself at beginning
HUMANIZE
Tip #13
Reassure respondents about their incentives
HUMANIZE
How to Reassure Them
At the very end …Remind them of the amountHow long it should takeHow they will knowContact info (name, email, phone)
HUMANIZE
Three Sets of Tips
MANAGE
INSPIRE
HUMANIZE
Chat Tips Summary
Manage the Flow
Inspire Participation
Humanize the Experience
Guidelines No Sideline IDIs Transitions One Q at a Time Rely on the Tech
Good Pace Watch Participation Foster Interaction Use Whiteboard
Be in Waiting Area Use Names Inject Personality Assure at End
Q&A
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