User:Don Misfit/Mentor Musings

Don Misfit's Mentor Musings

Thoughts and comments on the Second Life Volunteer program.

Mentoring is Fun!!!

or, at least it *should* be...

Since we all volunteered to be Mentors because we enjoy helping people, having fun while we're doing it should be pretty obvious. So, why do I even mention it? Because, there are times when Mentoring becomes less-than-fun:

Griefers are being disruptive

There are 15 people around you, all throwing different questions out

You've been asked "wanna have sex?" 10 times in the last two minutes

The kids are fighting in the other room

When these (and many other reasons) pop up, Take a Break! Our efforts are appreciated, but everyone gets frustrated and burned-out from time to time. Go explore and have some fun, or take a little time to visit Real Life. There will be plenty of newbies waiting for you on your return.

Main Second Life Mentor Group Chat

To IM, or not to IM, that is the question...

I am sure everyone has already read the guidelines page at Volunteer_Group_IM_Guidelines but there is still a lot of random chat in that channel. It seems to me that a big part of the problem is not so much that questions are being asked, but rather the *way* questions are asked, and the inane, nonsensical and non-productive responses that tend to follow.

As an example:

Q: Any italian speakers on?

A *much* better way to pose the question is:

Q: "Bob Newbie" on OI45 could use some help from an Italian speaking mentor, if anyone is available - thanks!

A proper in-group response would be:

A: On my way!

or, via IM:

IM: I can be there in 5 - 10 minutes... let me know if nobody else responds.

The trouble is, we often get a bunch of the following responses:

A: Sorry, I'm too busy.

A: me no speako italiano! LMAO!!!

A: me neither LOL!

A: I only speak english and french :(

None of the above is helpful in, or appropriate for, the Mentor group chat window.

Asking a question that is easily answered with a quick look at the KB can also be irritating to many. For example:

Q: How does somebody get video on their land?

That question will be answered much better, and in much more detail, by reading about it in the KB - as opposed to getting a bunch of replies in the group chat window.

One thing to keep in mind is that, as Mentors, we should be doing more than just giving people answers... we should be teaching them "how to learn." Use the KB... use the wiki... show them all the ways to find information via the Search window. It amazes me when I talk to people who have been in SL for many *months* yet they've never seen the Free Classes offered via Search Window -> Events tab -> Education Category. Or, they've never considered using Search -> Groups... to find other people with related interests (for example, to find help with using the Linux client).

If you *have* looked for the answer to a question, but had no success, then we *should* be able to ask it in the Mentor group chat (assuming it is relevant to Mentors / Volunteering). Responding to those questions is probably best done via direct IM though, particularly since it will usually turn into a conversation.

Above all - let's stay civil and polite... If you think someone is asking an inappropriate question, or responding in a non-helpful manner, let them know --- but do it via Private IM - DO NOT chastise them in the group chat window.

Mentors are NOT a Police Force

We are Educators, not Enforcers

A number of folks have joined the Mentor program in recent months, apparently under the impression that part of our mission is to combat the griefers and to enforce the Terms of Service (ToS), the Community Standards (CS) and other LL policies.

This is not the case, for a long list of reasons... a few of which I'll discuss here.

1. Our primary task is to provide information to newbies - help them "get a handle" on how to use the software, how to get around, what there is to see and do, etc. That's why we have access to the numbered / newbie Orientation and Help Islands. If you have extensive knowledge on a particular subject or aspect of SL, and can provide assistance to "non-newbies" as well --- Great! By all means, answer any and all questions you can!
2. We are not authorized, nor given any special "powers," by LL to take any actions against what we deem to be griefing. Nor are we given any sort of exceptions... if you cage or orbit a griefer - you are also guilty of griefing. Doing such things and thinking "I'm a Mentor, I won't get in trouble for it" will have consequences.
3. We have not been given any special training in interpreting the ToS / CS or any other LL policies. While certain actions will appear to be clearly a violation, it is not up to us to make that determination. Nothing wrong with sending a private IM to someone, politely asking them to stop what they're doing.

( This page is still being written )