Moderator Teamwork
As a Moderator, you will be part of a team looking after the same forum, so you will never be expected to work alone for extended periods. In practice, there will often be times when you are alone – people take holidays etc. You will be able to rely on your Moderator team (Mod team) for advice and help in the course of your duties. Mod teams provide the day to day management of the OU Students Association forums and ensure that forum contributors adhere to the requirements for using the service. Additionally, you can always contact the Controller Advisory Panel (CAP) or Mentor Moderators for advice and support.
Moderating as part of a team
For a forum to function effectively, we require our Moderators to work as part of a team. The normal requirement will be for a minimum of two mods and a maximum of six. Your Mod team will need to work together to decide how you want to divide moderating duties between you. Where a forum is particularly busy, this may mean Mods conferring regularly to ensure that at least one member of the team is available to moderate and answer complaints. You should also notify the Forum Controller if there will be no coverage for a period of time. Mods can communicate with the OUSA-Controller@open.ac.uk for any queries on moderating.
Seeking advice from mod team members
There will be occasions when you may be uncertain as to the merits of a particular contribution to your forum or what action, if any should be taken. The Exercising Good Judgement section may help you here. This is when conferring with your Mod team is the best option, and if no-one else is around, you can post in the Mods Discussion area or contact a Mentor Mod for advice. You can do this by accessing the Contact your Mentor Mods forum via this link.
Wellbeing
If you are moderating at home, please be mindful of your workspace and wellbeing. Make sure you are comfortable and take breaks away from the screen. If for some reason you are not able to moderate for a while (e.g. holidays, illness or study) please let your Mod team know that you will not be checking the forums.
Also, we need to look out for the welfare of contributors by removing any personal information that might identify them (phone numbers, emails etc) in posts unless they specifically indicate they want to put it in the public domain.
Moderator Teamwork
As a Moderator, you will be part of a team looking after the same forum, so you will never be expected to work alone for extended periods. In practice, there will often be times when you are alone – people take holidays etc. You will be able to rely on your Moderator team (Mod team) for advice and help in the course of your duties. Mod teams provide the day to day management of the OU Students Association forums and ensure that forum contributors adhere to the requirements for using the service. Additionally, you can always contact the Controller Advisory Panel (CAP) or Mentor Moderators for advice and support.
Moderating as part of a team
For a forum to function effectively, we require our Moderators to work as part of a team. The normal requirement will be for a minimum of two mods and a maximum of six. Your Mod team will need to work together to decide how you want to divide moderating duties between you. Where a forum is particularly busy, this may mean Mods conferring regularly to ensure that at least one member of the team is available to moderate and answer complaints. You should also notify the Forum Controller if there will be no coverage for a period of time. Mods can communicate with the OUSA-Controller@open.ac.uk for any queries on moderating.
Seeking advice from mod team members
There will be occasions when you may be uncertain as to the merits of a particular contribution to your forum or what action, if any should be taken. The Exercising Good Judgement section may help you here. This is when conferring with your Mod team is the best option, and if no-one else is around, you can post in the Mods Discussion area or contact a Mentor Mod for advice. You can do this by accessing the Contact your Mentor Mods forum via this link.
Wellbeing
If you are moderating at home, please be mindful of your workspace and wellbeing. Make sure you are comfortable and take breaks away from the screen. If for some reason you are not able to moderate for a while (e.g. holidays, illness or study) please let your Mod team know that you will not be checking the forums.
Also, we need to look out for the welfare of contributors by removing any personal information that might identify them (phone numbers, emails etc) in posts unless they specifically indicate they want to put it in the public domain.