Jeff Walkowski Itracks Webinar Series January 14, 2010

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

2. Agenda • Background • Top Tips for Chats • Q & A

3. Background • Jointly developed with Casey Sweet • 25+ years of online experience • Co-chaired Online Task Force • Train online moderators • Published articles/books

4. Other Notes • These tips are based on: • Personal experience • Observing students • Listening to respondents • “Online Moderating 202”

5. Three Sets of Tips INSPIRE MANAGE HUMANIZE

6. Three Sets of Tips INSPIRE * MANAGE HUMANIZE

7. Tips to Manage the Flow MANAGE • Deliver guidelines • Avoid sideline conversations • Ask one question at a time • Provide transitions • Rely on Tech Support

8. Tip #1 Lay down appropriate guidelines at the beginning MANAGE

9. MANAGE Guidelines “Listen” and “talk” to each other – not just to me. Stick to the topic. Heed the “STOP!” request if it occurs. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar Don’t worry about how fast (or slow) you type. It’s OK to disagree, but do it in a nice way. If you get “bumped,” just log back in. If I seem to disappear, wait for me.

10. MANAGE ‘Don’t wory abuot spellin eras as we will al makke them.’

11. Tip #2 Avoid engaging in sideline IDIs MANAGE

12. Tip #3 MANAGE Provide transitions from one topic to another

13. I wish we had time to discuss this further, but I need to move us along. Please finish your posts so we can move to another topic. Ready to move on? Let’s switch gears and talk about something else. MANAGE

14. 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

15. Tip #4 MANAGE Ask one question at a time

16. 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.

17. Tip #5 MANAGE Rely on Tech Support

18. What Tech Support Can Do For You • Check technical things • Primary greeter to respondents • General instructions • Take care of latecomers • Help in emergencies MANAGE

19. Three Sets of Tips * INSPIRE MANAGE HUMANIZE

20. Tips to Inspire Participation INSPIRE • Keep a good pace • Monitor participation • Foster interaction • Use the whiteboard

21. Tip #6 INSPIRE Keep a good pace

22. How to Set a Pace INSPIRE • Slow down! • Read before asking next question • Allow respondents to read, too • Don’t leave respondents behind • Back-track, re-ask as needed

23. Tip #7 INSPIRE Monitor participation

24. Tip #8 Foster interaction INSPIRE

25. Don’t just answer my questions, but “talk” to each other. Scroll up and review the ideas mentioned. Which one appeals to you most? Joe said X. Do you agree or disagree with him? Be sure explain. INSPIRE

26. Tip #9 INSPIRE Use the Whiteboard

27. Whiteboard Uses INSPIRE • Guidelines • Keywords • Fill-in the blank stems • Picture of you • Other relevant images

28. Three Sets of Tips INSPIRE MANAGE HUMANIZE *

29. Tips to Humanize the Experience HUMANIZE 10. Greet them in Waiting Room 11. Use respondents’ names 12. Inject personality into the group 13. Assure about incentives

30. Tip #10 HUMANIZE Greet respondents in the Waiting Room

31. Tip #11 HUMANIZE Use respondents’ names

32. 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

33. Tip #12 HUMANIZE Inject one’s personality into the group

34. Ways to Inject Personality HUMANIZE • Compose guide like you speak • Go along with humor • Recover from gaffes/delays • Introduce yourself at beginning

35. Tip #13 HUMANIZE Reassure respondents about their incentives

36. How to Reassure Them HUMANIZE • At the very end … • Remind them of the amount • How long it should take • How they will know • Contact info (name, email, phone)

37. Three Sets of Tips INSPIRE MANAGE HUMANIZE

38. Chat Tips Summary

39. Q&A

40. Thank You! www.OnlineModerator.com jeff.walkowski@qualcore.com 612.377.3439