Higher Education

[SoftWareRevue]

If you had a chance to attend a conference or some other venue with the opportunity to gain knowledge in running your community, what would you like to learn? What would you like to take away from that? What skills would prepare you to run your community better?

[Scott]

Interesting idea! I think something that offered stalls with the different types of software and perhaps hosting, a few speeches by perhaps those who've created a very active board (Gaia for example) would be an excellent conference. Workshops could show people how to use particular features of the software, and general Q&A would also be nice. SEO would probably be a hot topic for speeches.

Still think it's an excellent idea, especially since I've not heard of anything similar. Would be happy to attend, although it'd probably be on another side of the world :(

[writespeak]

Yeah, interesting. :)

...what would you like to learn? What would you like to take away from that? What skills would prepare you to run your community better?
As Scott said, learning how to use the software would be good. My particular interest, though, would be in people skills.

As a former teacher, I've often thought how being a moderator is similar to the classroom management aspect of teaching. Knowing your subject area and how to present it is just some of what you need. You have to be able to get the students (members) on your side and wanting to work with you to make the situation a positive experience.

With moderating, we need to set the right tone and communicate erfectively when problems come up. Some situations call for a light, friendly tone, while in others, we need to be more serious. We also need to know how to recognize our biases and set them aside (another problem that comes up in teaching).

Perhaps how to work as a moderating team could be covered too. For example, how the admins can best pass on knowledge, how to help moderators learn, different roles that moderators can fit into.

And more on Scott's line of thinking, how to build a community from the inside out.

Concerning the investigation aspect of moderating, Detective Skills 101 sounds great to me. :)

Lois

[SoftWareRevue]

Some great ideas so far. Keep 'em comin!'

stalls with the different types of software and perhaps hostingI'm sure that there are plenty of admins that could ease their work load if they knew more of what the software can offer. :) Good idea!

communicate erfectivelyThat (or some reasonable facsimile thereof) is probably a key component when it comes to running a community.

how to work as a moderating teamTeam being the operative word. :)

Detective Skills 101Although important for some communities, I wonder if all would benefit. I'm thinking more in generic terms. However, there could be some specialized workshops. And this would be a great one.

Would be happy to attend, although it'd probably be on another side of the worldI think something like this is a long ways off. But, of course, I'd like to see it as well.

I think a strong emphasis on people skills would likely be a good thing.

It's all about the peoples. :bow:

[writespeak]

...and communicate erfectively

That (or some reasonable facsimile thereof)

Are you pirking on my tyrpo? :mad:


:hippy:


:giggle:


Lois

[SoftWareRevue]

Typos are just that. But sometimes they're in places that make them intriguing. :guitar:

Maybe that could be a workshop. "When typos create uh-ohs." :ftag:

[Odd Fact]

Tech Ideas:
Technical skills on the operation of the forum software
SEO Ideas
For larger communities maybe discuss clusters or hosting options
Basic hack/mod skills for the different forums
Trouble shooting and fixes for forums
help/support systems
warnings systems

People Skills
Moderating techniques
Communication skills
Documnetation
Dealing with support (helpdesk, warnings, etc)
Training and development of staff
Where to recruit staff

Business
Promotion techniques
Advertising
Getting sponsors
Paid memberships
Budgeting
Development and growth

There are a few ideas!

[MFFan]

I'd want to hear good stuff about SEO. And maybe a hot swimsuit or wet t-shirt contest.

[cawn009]

Maybe I'll go for the tips and information of university, or guides to study abroad, it may help students who want to study on other countries and also boost up their knowledge and experience.