This document provides guidance on moderating online groups. It discusses using blogs for a group on topics like daily life as a student or professional, announcements, and event information. It also covers starting and encouraging discussion on boards, and addressing inappropriate posts by reporting them or contacting the user. Wikis are meant for collaborative editing of documents, while discussion boards allow comments between members. Wikis should not replace discussion boards.

1. Online Moderation: Moderating a Group on NOVICE Tierney Kinnison, RVC

2. http://www.noviceproject.eu/pg/file/tierneyRVC/read/1422/a-guide-for-group-leaders

4. Online Moderation: Blogs – as part of a group

6. Daily life as a veterinary student going through education

7. Welcome and advice for those new to the subject area

8. A weekly blog about advances in veterinary education by an ‘expert’ in the field (often the group leader)

9. Posts about the latest education journal releases

10. Information about an upcoming event such as a conference

15. Online Moderation: Group Discussion Boards

18. Starting a discussion board

19. Responding... ...and encouraging others

20. Allowing discussion between group members

21. Inappropriate It is possible that you may find some inappropriate postings including any of the following issues: · Swearing · Shouting – in the form of using all capitals letters for periods of time · Spam messages – messages that are in no way linked to the current theme · Advertising · Flaming – telling one person off in a public domain · Blatant provoking behaviour If you do come across such posts, you should click on the ‘Report this’ link at the top of the side menu bar Inaccurate If you notice any posts that are inaccurate, it may be advisable to contact the person who posted the comment. If you explain why it is inaccurate, they themselves can then remove the post. Alternatively you may add a comment yourself indicating the inaccuracyor simply delete the post yourself. If you deem it necessary you can use the ‘Report this’ function.

22. Online Moderation: Group Wikis

23. Using Wiki Pages as a Discussion Board It’s important to use the right tool for the right purpose! Unfortunately both Tierney and Sarah have used wiki pages as an area for members to introduce themselves, and both have turned into the format of a discussion board. A wiki page should be one document of text and or images etc which is edited by others. Comments are useful for wiki pages, for example to say ‘I think this document is now complete, I like it very much’ ‘I have changed the second paragraph because it did not make sense’ ‘I would like to add a picture to describe the process, does anybody have one?’ Etc.

24. Summary of ideas gleaned from discussion boards, created and edited by the group facilitator Great place to store reference lists And links to other resources Overview of resources