Moi, a moderator?
Becoming a moderator is more rewarding and certainly less onerous than you may think. You don’t have to be an expert, either. FCLIR is about peer-led learning, after all.
Where to begin?
You may be harboring an idea for a seminar or workshop. Great. If not, though, FCLIR’s website – fclir.org – has some ideas and inspirations to get you off square one. Check out the lists of oldies-but-goodies: here, you will find an array of class topics, listed alphabetically, or listed chronologically by year (1989 to present). You may find just the class there that bears repeating (with a new twist by you, to be sure); or you may be inspired to forge into new territory. Both are good. Brainstorming with others – a friend or co-moderator, perhaps – can be inspiring, too.
What might I consider first?
Here are a few things you might decide upon at the start of writing a proposal:
- A co-moderator partner – yes or no; if so, who?
- Class type –
- 1.) a peer-led learning seminar,
- 2.) a specialist-led seminar (featuring complementary presentations/lectures by guests who are expert in their field, or
- 3.) a hands-on workshop?
- Alternatives approaches – some LIR members shy away from the prospect of making a presentation; think about how else seminar members might participate.
- Preliminary class schedule – there’s nothing cast in stone about proposing ten sessions is there? No. You can choose to make it shorter.
- Above all, ask what makes for a successful seminar. Your own experience with various seminars may well be the best way to judge.
How do I develop a proposal?
Check out the materials linked under “Handbooks and Guides” on this page of our website for general information.
You can submit your proposal here. This is a simple questionnaire; its prompts help organize your thoughts.
For non-robot help along the way, reach out to FCLIR at fclir@fivecolleges.edu or 413-542-4031, or to any member of the Curriculum Committee.
Then What?
Once you’ve submitted your first draft, you’ll be contacted by a Curriculum Committee liaison, who will convey positive feedback with a friendly touch.
Nancy Denig, Curriculum Committee Co-Chair