Who is getting chased away besides the school kids from Utah?

There was someone just yesterday that breached blog etiquette & I told her so. I think that if you act inappropriately, someone should step in & tell you the way.

No to the AR Ambassadors being playground monitors.

Moderation could stifle the good and unexpected growth. Liberty feeds innovation.

The questions are the same and on any given day the same question from more than one of the students can be viewed. Very few of the students interact and it seems they are being manipulated by the instructors. This is a learning platform and a good resource for them to learn but it isn't a place for them to do their homework. I just don't think they know what is going on. Some members could be kinder in their responses or just skip over and not answer. It's too bad that the questions are not more genuine and are stock right out of a test booklet. 

Greg, I don't see controlling the Q&A section as being an Ambassador function, but an overall community function.  There's a Report link for every question and every comment.  If anyone finds something truly objectionable, they have the ability to click that link and let the AR Staff address as they deem appropriate.  Me personally, I'm skipping the blatant real estate school answer my homework questions.  I'm pretty sure the purpose of this Q&A section wasn't to be some school's tutor program.

To echo what Liz and Bill Spear said, I don't think Ambassadors need to moderate the Q&A , but rather we all can.  There is a "Report" button to use.  Like the rest of the community, it's important to remember that this is not some playground where bullies or unprofessional behavior is tolerated.  We're all adults so we should be able to handle it. 

What would you propose they do?

Maybe Ben would create a new badge "Kindergarten Cop" or "Recruiter."

Now, I do empathize. These students don't know they are being manipulated. These students don't know this is the 111th time that question peculated from the Utah School of Real Estate this year. Perhaps the Utah School of Real Estate needs to be contacted and issued a few protocol directives. One being "Don't be a taker only."

I freely give back to this community as an ambassador because I learned so much here. However, I'm still a broker running a business and don't have time to be here and police things 24/7.  And anyone in the community of ActiveRain can report a comment that is someone being a bully. People have had their accounts suspended for being ugly to other members in the past and I'm sure that could happen again if the same person gets reported by multiple people.  I also know staff will reach out and remind people of the rules when needed.

I'm not monitoring anything.  If a new agent asks a question and gets "bullied" as you call it, so be it as long as it can be a teaching moment.  I haven't seen much of what you speak of.  

If I ever saw someone getting mocked on a good question I'd be more than happy to step in and throw in my two cents.

If you're willing to put it out there you need to be willing to take what you get.  

There are some pretty ridiculous questions out there that need policed in my opinion.  

We don't need no stinking moderators.

Greg, just hit report on a comment that you think is abusive, it will be looked at and Bob Stewart will make a determination as to whether the guidelines have been violated.

I agree! Some of the answers are not worthy of the spirit of the community. If a young agent or someone studying to be an agent asks a question, it's an opportunity to educate him or her how to do "the right thing", that's why they ask. If it's a repeat question, maybe they don't know how to navigate the site to find the answer - another opportunity to educate.

Should?  No.

I do like the response by Liz and Bill Spear. 

No. If members don't care for the newbies questions they should just pass. No need for rude answers.  I haven't noticed many remarks, just a few.  Everyone has to start somewhere.  Some students don't seem sincere and I thinks that's a shame. There is a lot of info and good people on this site that offer  to help. 

I think some already do. There are some members that just decide to be nasty and they are watched and reported. 

I say let "free speech" rule the day without moderators.   Those who post or question inappropriately will quickly be identified and / or reported.   That will provide adequate control. 

You bring up an interesting idea, Greg.  Though, when it comes to policing this Q & A section, there will be some hard feelings.

Greg, no I don't think it should be.  The problem with the agents in training is they ask the same questions repeatedly, they never comment or give any indication that they even read the answers and they don't come back (with the exception of one or two).  It's literally a checkbox for them in their cirriculum "Post in Q&A on active rain."

A couple have done blogs and I've positively commented on their blog and thanked them for it.

I believe many of us are moderating the Q&A section.  However, based upon this question, my sense is that we can be doing a better job.  We do flag inappropriate conduct.

I haven't seen anyone get bullied, but I usually skip the questions that have been already asked quite frequently. I don't think there needs to be a moderator in Q&A.

Greg,

I think that is not necessary.  We are all adults here!  A

I know of only two or three "bullies" on ActiveRain.  Like any Internet Troll, the best thing to do is ignore them and delete their comments.

I know Bob Stewart truly wanted the Q & A to be real estate related, so thinking this may not only include the students.

I do not think it is up to Ambassadors to police the area.  They are volunteers to help and guide as experience and time permits on the topic.

I DO wish the Q&A were NOT included in the regular blog roll and people interested in that section could go there and play all day long if they choose. Very few RE related questions are posed in my personal observation/opinion.

In the meantime, the best response (for me anyway) to repetitive or nonsense "questions" is no response at all.  Hopefully the lack of attention will let them find someone else to "play"...

The Q&A section of AR is one place I have found that the old saying "there is no such thing as a stupid question" is totally 100% incorrect.

My .02

Good morning Greg. I hope not, I want to see a continue open forum when it comes to AR.

Greg Cremia I think the current system is working fine....

Is that a fact or personal opinion?  I have been here a very long time and I don't know how I would discover people are being chased away.  Bullied? You mean like pushed around and stuff? Or are you talking about leaving their opinion about a question?

no

I feel the students are being pushed to be here...

Greg Cremia No, I don't think AR Ambassadors whould moderate the Q&A Section.

All of us should speak up if we see things we think are out of line in our forum. That goes for blog post too. Lately we have had many waste-of-time questions  (e.g. "What are the roles of the participants in transactions?"). Even in fifth grade I would not have asked a question that general; sorry if I sound harsh but students still need to step up and not waste our time even skimming these questions.

The instructor(s) sending them here need to give them some training on how to introduce themselves and interact.  

I understand not wanting people's feelings to get hurt, but on the other hand, unless someone is getting really hostile or profane, it should be let go.  Something will always offend someone.  Tough industry.

No