Moderating On-line

This template is for dealing with a possible; 'Flaming Spiral' in a chat session. You may think I'm paranoid, but I probably am when it comes to 'Chat'. I do hope I'm wrong.

This is the point where 'All' of the group that are invited into the session are given the 'Key Words' to use or 'Observe' being used, during a chat session, and will all know what comes next.

Assess the previous comment:

       1....“Yes; that‘s a good view"...
       2....”Yes; fair comment...
       3....“No; I don’t agree with your last point"...

Then continue with the evaluation of the suspected ‘Flame’,
obviously giving the suspected flamer the benefit of the doubt.

Evaluate the same comment, using the following test phrases:

       1....”I think that could lead somewhere”... (Evaluate response)
       2....”but where are we going with it?”... (Evaluate answer)
       3....”This is going nowhere”... (The response to this may be conclusive)

Work through the three tests and give your own input as suggested below.

Input your own genuine view in an attempt to remain ‘On Thread’

Offer to retrace the steps and ‘unpick’ any misconceived responses:
(Follow: Assess - Evaluate – Input).

We may not even get to 'O' and 'U' but they are there just in case.

Anyway at this stage your suspicions will be confirmed or not.      When you are sure you can go on and use the last part of the template the rest of the group will know what comes next.    (Because you have issued them all with a copy of the template and how it works)...Its probably time to leave the room.

The last two stages are optional, but available.
Good practice would be to get out as soon as the tests have be used.

Remember:-) (((The integrity of the group is vital)))

If In Doubt Get Out


Underline (By repeating) the salient point/points you are unhappy with and end by saying

“You said”… “Blah Blah"...  ...“Which is taking us nowhere”...

At this point I would declare the session over and leave the chat room.

As a moderator I would inform the whole group of the code being used and give them free reign on how they chat, but suggest they use the set phrases if disruption is suspected.

My major fear with the template method is that the ‘flamer’ might be part of the group, which I fully expect to encounter. (It takes all sorts to make a community)

My hope is that if the rest of the group subscribes to the template or some other pre-agreed code of conduct, then the flamer will be discovered very quickly and the session can terminate with the group still in tact.

I am sure that, sticking to bland set piece phrases will bore him/her rigid. Also it can be concluded in a matter of tens of seconds, rather than long minutes of wasted ‘Banter’

I would then send a de-brief message to the group, with a new date, time, or room for chat.

My main hope for a ‘code’ is that it will be specific to learners. I have no reason or desire to enter a general free for all chat room.

Using the A-E-I-O-U formula suggests a learning mindset and not an idle approach to intelligent augment and input with the desire to learn from others.

The flamer in my view will then either retreat back under the cover of the group or just leave the room, if he/she is an interloper.

This I suggest is the equivalent of schoolboys ‘sitting on a bully’ a collective act to demonstrate all possible victims are in agreement.

Written and Produced by Bob Richardson