1. Spring USBT-2008 VCO TRAINING Viktar Khotsim Team Leader of the VCO Project, USBT/PAL Alumnus

2. Plan of the training session A. Theoretical Part. VCO structure and technological innovations VCO on-line consulting technique How to update the VCO content: main rules B. Practical Part. VCO Training Module (Administrative Center ) English Consulting Center: demonstration with real on-line consulting Conclusions. Unfinished business.

3. VCO Structure & Technological Innovations 1. Theoretical Part

4. http://vco-edusa.net Advising Without Borders!

5. VCO Project Now Team of 36 advisers, 21 country Multilingual Interactive Portal Seven web templates Supported by one tech specialist VCO on-line technique

6. English CC Russian CC Arabic CC Spanish CC Chinese CC

7. English CC Russian CC Arabic CC Spanish CC Chinese CC French CC Portuguese CC

8. Project Structure Consulting Center (7) Consulting Section (63) Local Mailing Lists (7) DPLP (9 members in Russian CC) VCO Mailing List (5000)

9. Consulting Center (CC) - 5 CC is the main structural unit of the VCO project. Structural gradation is based on the type of language used for consulting services. Consulting Center Director preferably must be a PAL or USBT Fellow

10. Consulting Center Directors Spanish CC, Rolando Ribera (Bolivia) Arabic CC, Lina ElLabban (Emirates) China CC, Frank Mok (China) English CC, Lorraine Usner (Australia) Russian CC, Viktar Khotsim (Belarus) Portuguese CC, Areta Galat (Brasil) French CC, Fidi Raharijaona (Madagascar)

11. English CC Russian CC Arabic CC Spanish CC Chinese CC

12. Consulting Section (CS) Nine topics for consulting service Consulting Section is the main component of the VCO Consulting Center Consulting Section is topic-based and has a unified structure in the whole project

13. Consulting Section Manager (CSM) Regular updating with news, links and portions of useful information Submitting quality answers to incoming questions preferably within 48 hours Deleting outdated content

14. Consulting Section Manager Communication via team@vco-edusa.netteam@vco-edusa.net Constant interaction with CCD in case of new ideas, proposals, suggestions Communication with the VCO TL in case of any technical problems

15. VCO:Distance Professional Learning Program Training model for beginning level advisers: Use of native languages Do not require additional funding Provide constant update Presents only tailored answers for concrete questions

16. VCO Mailing Lists and Flying Banners Local mailing list (7) VCO E-Community (5200) VCO Flying Banner (7)

17. English CC Russian CC Arabic CC Spanish CC Chinese CC

18. VCO Administrative structure Advisory Board Consulting Sections Managers Technician (webmaster)

19. ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS ECA Representatives REAC Representatives VCO Team Leader Consulting Centers Directors (CCD) mailing list: board@vco-edusa.netboard@vco-edusa.net

20. ADVISORY BOARD: RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic planning and development of the project Seeking for the VCO partners and donors Communication via board@vco-edusa.net

21. VCO TEAM LEADER Obligatory should be a Director of one of the VCO Consulting Center's. Analyze all suggestions on VCO Project developments coming from VCO CCD. Main intermediate between VCO CCD`s and VCO webmaster.

22. Technological innovations_1 Team-based and user friendly operation Presents information and consulting service in 7 languages Is based on web template method (changes) Contains special VCO training module for new members of the VCO team

23. Technological innovations_2 Anti-spam protection system Template stamp referring to visit nearest EducationUSA Center Local comparative statistics E-notification system via e-mail

24. Technological innovations_3 Language translator Total VCO traffic control Simple and unified structure Local E-community for each CC Sorting option

25. Technological innovations_4 Two professional mailing lists Six sites satellites (VCO banner) One flying banner in each Consulting Center Mobile consulting module

26. Mobile Consulting Modules

27. Technological innovations_5 Method of the “one click answer” Local “staff cop” program The whole project is supported by one technician

28. VCO Structure & Technological Innovations Questions and Answers

29. VCO on-line consulting technique (detailed) Theoretical stage

30. Question Archives Administrators may edit questions/answers or delete them if they are outdated, repetitive, or not relevant for the general audience. Questions must belong to the appropriate section of the VCO project.

31. Unanswered Questions Screen lists all unanswered questions. Administrators may answer them, delete them if they are inappropriate, or transfer them to another section/section manager.

32. Classification of incoming questions Very basic Labor-intensive Concrete Miscellaneous

33. Example of incoming questions: very basic Location: Uzbekistan. E-mail: Yulabr_1987@mail.ru. I want to study In USA. What I should do about this ?

34. Very basic questions: recommendations Inspirational sentence Simple and brief explanation of the application process Use of template answers Referring to the nearest EducationUSA center

35. “How can I receive a scholarship for study in the USA?” Structure of the answer: Part 1. “Inspiration” You can apply for many scholarships for study in the United States! Part2. “Body” (Template answer) – “one click” posting There are many ways to receive scholarships for your studies in the U.S., depending on your level and field of study. A few types of scholarships are: College-Specific Awards, Athletic Scholarships, Academic Awards….. Part 3. “Invitation” (automatically posted) You are invited to visit our nearest center in person http://educationusa.state.gov/centers.htm

36. Example of incoming questions: labor-intensive Location: Mongolia. E-mail: jalair_bayasgalan@yahoo.com. Please give me information about top universities in computer science in California and amount of financial aid in them

37. Types of labor-intensive questions Simple (contains one question in one query) Multiple (contains several questions in one query)

38. Labor-intensive questions: recommendations Avoid “digging too deep” when answering question Show only direction where to find the answer (directing answer) Present direct link or contact information

39. I’ve completed my first year studies in Fire & Safety Engineering in Oman. Can you recommend a distance learning program in this field of study in the United States? Part 1. “Inspiration” Distance learning opportunities are increasing and are a good option for some international students. Part 2. “Body”. “Directing” type of the answer For a list of schools that have your specific field of study, go to http://www.petersons.com/educationusa/. Then you’ll need to explore which of those schools offers the subject via distance education. There are many universities in the US that offer online degree programs. http://www.petersons.com/educationusa/ Part 3. “Invitation” You are invited to visit our nearest center in person http://educationusa.state.gov/centers.htm

40. Concrete questions 5% of total questions Active phase of the application process Requires a “tailored” answer

41. Example of incoming questions: concrete Country: United Arab Emirates E-mail: OSA93@yahoo.com Question: What is the difference between online studies and distance studies? Thanks

42. What is the difference between online studies and distance studies? Part 1. Inspiration In addition to traditional forms of learning, international students have many distance education opportunities through US colleges and universities. Part 2. Body “Tailored” type Essentially there is no difference. Online study is one of many means of distance learning (distance education). Distance learning can be conducted through the following means:…… Part 3. Invitation You are invited to visit our nearest center in person http://educationusa.state.gov/centers.htm

43. Miscellaneous questions 5% of total questions Must be deleted from the Administrative Center without answering

44. VCO Consulting Service: Summary of the Structure of Answers 1. Inspirational sentence 2. Body of the answer: template for “very basic” questions directing for “labor-intensive” questions tailored for “concrete” questions 3. Call to action sentence (invitation)

45. Achieved results Saving time for VCO team members Increase of professionalism in consulting service Use this methodology for training of new VCO team members Try to implement this consulting technique for telephone and e-mail consultations

46. Changes in the VCO content policy To ignore very basic questions and answers to be distributed to DPLP participants and located at the Q&A section of the VCO webs ever To sort in a priority order tailored answers for “concrete” questions and directing answers for “labor-intensive questions” To collect tailored and directing answers as a basics for VCS part of the VCO content

47. VCO on-line consulting technique Questions and Answers

48. 7 STEPS TO ANSWER INCOMING QUESTIONS (see quick guide handout)

49. STEP 1: Enter the VCO site at: http://vco-edusa.net/ http://vco-edusa.net/

50. STEP 2: Click on the English Section

51. STEP 3: Enter you e-mail. Click red arrow

52. STEP 4: Enter you assigned password. Enter.

53. STEP 5: Click on “Unanswered questions”

54. STEP 6: Select the question you want to answer according to your area of expertise and click on “Answer”.

55. STEP 7: Answer the question then click on “Send”. STEP 7: Answer the question then click on “Send”.

56. On-line demonstration How to answer very basic questions

57. VCO on-line consulting technique Questions and Answers

58. How to update the VCO content: main rules Theoretical part

59. Pieces of information News Links Useful Information Flying Banner Mailing list

60. VCO: Posting news Deadlines, announcements, and other relevant information. Should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that the news remains "new.“ Use sorting option to prioritize the news item Sharing the most important information to local mailing lists

61. VCO: Posting links Reputable sources of information that you know are fairly comprehensive and believe to be accurate. After posting, check to see that the links are active. Re-check and update links frequently to ensure that they are active and working Use of sorting option Avoid posting too many links (up to 20)

62. VCO: Posting pieces of useful information Success stories Simplified explanation of terms REAC mailing list and website NAFSA news EducationUSA section of the website EducationUSA weekly updates Sorting option

63. Flying Banner Promotion of the most important forthcoming event (IEW) Advertising to subscribe

64. Local E-community (5200) Flying banner Individual consultations and outreach E-mails rosters

65. How to enter the VCO AC

66. VCO AC: Smart Table VCO AC: Smart Table

67. Operating the VCO AC: Smart Table. Step 1. 1. Click on the green mark next to the section to which you wish to change. 2. Look at the list of individual topics that will appear below the “smart table”.

68. Operating the VCO AC: Smart Table. Step 2. 1. Look at the list of individual topics that will appear below the “smart table” 2. Choose the individual topic to which you would like to change and click on it

69. Operating the VCO AC: Smart Table. Step 3. 1. Enter the information to the appeared frame, 2. Mark free space at the “send to list” line by right button of your mouse. 3. Press “Send”

70. Flying Banner For special announcements Draw attention to a particular piece of important information Provide a general line of greeting. Avoid using ALL CAPS in the banner, or writing very long sentences

71. How to update the VCO content: main rules Questions and Answers

72. VCO training module Practical exercise

73. VCO Training Module: Task 1 Enter: http:/vco-edusa.net/tm Browse the VCO TM structure (3 min) Subscribe yourself (private address) to the VCO TM mailing list Ask any general question related to educational advising Enter Administrative Center using distributed login and password

74. VCO Training Module: Task 2 Subscribe yourself to the VCO DPLP list Upload any test info to any part of the VCO TM with distribution to the list of subscribers Answer incoming question with distribution of the answers to advisers (DPLP list) Check your working mailing list (vco1@vco- edusa.net)vco1@vco- edusa.net Check your private mailing list

75. Conclusions List of subscribers may be used for distribution of the posted information to its recipients Your answer to incoming question is distributed to four different directions: a.Interested student b.VCO TL and CCD c.DPLP member (optional) d.VCO module (optional)

76. Practical exercise: VCO training module Questions and Answers

77. Browsing English Consulting Center 1. Browsing English CC 2. Browsing VCO AC 3. Real on-line consulting

78. Plan of the training session A. Theoretical Part. VCO structure and technological innovations VCO on-line consulting technique How to update the VCO content: main rules B. Practical Part. VCO Training Module (Administrative Center ) English Consulting Center: demonstration with real on-line consulting Conclusions. Unfinished business.

79. VCO Training Please leave your name with e-mail and your native language information

80. Spring USBT-2008 VCO TRAINING Viktar Khotsim Team Leader of the VCO Project, USBT/PAL Alumnus