All 13 behind the screen. But it’s not as easy as your regular Zoom meeting/conference. Curtin Marketing and Corporate Communication decided to try something new to educate and inform the audience on the learning platform and opportunities Curtin has to offer. There is a total of 4 roles to take up behind a webinar.
Backstage Operators
Backstage operators are the backbone of the webinar. These guys were the ones who came up with the webinar idea, and made it look professional while live as well. The webinar used an online software called StreamYard. Do you remember watching the news and a line of words just slide out from one side to the other? StreamYard provides that feature and many more. However, it is not automated. That is where the backstage operators come in. They choose whose face to go online on the screen and the introductory pieces to appear when introducing hosts, moderators, and panelists. Backstage communication is always constant to help other members to prepare.
Hosts
Then comes in the hosts. The hosts are the face of the webinar and controls the overall flow of how the webinar will look. They announce what is coming up next and who are the prize winners. Hosts holds the power for direct communication from the webinar and its audience.
Moderators
Students from each faculty were handpicked to become moderators for the webinar. I was picked to represent the faculty of humanities. Moderators are tasked to control the flow of the conversation between them and the panelists. Each faculty session is given an hour, with several questions needed to be answered. Followed up with additional questions that may come along for the conversation and from the audience themselves. As students, we were given the opportunity to gain insight of their experience in Curtin and the working life after Curtin from Curtin’s alumni.
Panelists
Panelists are Curtin alumni whom were reached out to collaborate and participate on this webinar. Chosen panelists are preferably those working in the field they studied in, to share their expertise and so students may relate and learn. 2 panelists were selected for each faculty session.
Here’s an image of me! In the webinar.
That sums up all 4 roles! I felt really nervous the whole time because I needed to hold a conversation knowing that a lot of people could be watching me behind hundreds of screens. As a mass communication student with a Public Relations major, I had to overcome and embrace that. It went really well in the end and I had a fantastic experience.
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