Jeff Walkowski Itracks Webinar Series January 14, 2010 Getting the Most From OLFGs: Top Tips for...

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

www.OnlineModerator.com

jeff.walkowski@qualcore.com

612.377.3439

Thank You!