Sign up to be a Session Moderator

As sessions become more popular for our community, it helps to have Moderators keep everything running smoothly and well-mannered. Children and adults may not be familiar with Zoom controls or online learning etiquette, so the Moderator assists presenters by handling the technical side of the session and by fielding questions.

The video below will give you an overview of Moderator expectations, tips on using Zoom, and the general format of our sessions.

Before your session, review the Presenter's Checklist
We really appreciate you helping Oakland Mills Online by being a moderator! Good moderators make good sessions great! The interest and guidance a moderator gives really does make the sessions more interactive and engaging.

Here’s what you’ll need to do during each workshop:

• Click on your workshop’s  Zoom link (via OMO website or FB page) 5-7 mins before the session is scheduled to start.
• Make-sure whoever starts the session (Amy, Jessica, Rachel, Jessie, or Hannah) makes you “host/co-host”. Also make sure the presenter is “co-host” so they can screen share, etc.
  
• Assist the presenter with any set-up needed. Ex. practice screen sharing or adjust camera or audio volume
• You can talk privately with the workshop presenter before you start letting in participants. Once you let them in, please keep all conversation centered on their needs/questions, the topic, and preparation for the workshop. Please avoid “adult” or off-topic conversation once participants are present. Encourage everyone (including the presenter) to check out tools like “speaker vs. gallery view,” the chat, and “rename” feature. It is an expectation that everyone uses an appropriate name. Depending on the workshop, participants may want to “pin” one person in the workshop. Ex: pin the leader of a pre-K class so that the speaker-view doesn’t jump to every young participant who makes a sound during the workshop.
• Mute is your friend: Remind all participants to keep themselves on “mute” unless they are actively asking questions. Suggest they use the chat if they have a question while the presenter is talking. You can monitor the chat and address issues as you see fit. Some things you can respond to, some you may want to bring to the attention of the presenter. There is a cool drop-down menu where you can “privately” message an individual participant. This is useful if someone is causing repeated distractions. If they know how to use the chat, you can avoid calling them out in the video and simply send them a private reminder instead. There is also a “mute all” function under “manage participants.” This will mute EVERYONE but you, including the presenter. Make sure you quickly unmute the presenter if you go this route. This “mute all” function also enables  you to un-check the box that allows participants to unmute themselves. This is only necessary if it seems the entire group is having trouble staying quiet/muted when the presenter is trying to lead the workshop. 
• IMPORTANT…….after everyone is settled (usually 2-4 mins after the hour), hit the “Record” button (please select “record  to cloud”).
• Enjoy the workshop along with the participants!
• Make sure the session ends NO LATER than 50 mins past the hour. This is important so people can have a break/start-up the next session without confusing overlap. 
• Hit “unmute all” and encourage everyone to thank the presenter and say goodbye.
  ​Hit the “end meeting for all” button and have a great rest of your day!