A national research study was conducted with teleconferencing professionals to set standards for teleconferences (Lane, Ed, Vol 4, #9). The following form will help you evaluate an upcoming teleconference. If the program does not seem to meet these minimal quality standards, contact the producers to determine the needs which it will meet. The Satellite Teleconference

A. Initial Program Announcement - 8 Points

1. Identifies originator's name, facility, location, C-and/or Ku-band
2. Timely, cutting-edge content; not widely available in literature or offered via seminars.
3. Developed with receive sites or others (via surveys, etc.) to steerdevelopment, states program need and how need was determined.
4. Narrowly focused and clearly defines target audience. Provides moderator's/presenter's credentials (content and media expertise).
5. Describes format in detail (live, tape, panel, etc.),content level and viewer knowledge prerequisites.
6. Provides thorough wraparound recommendations so that facilitators without content expertise can adapt without major research and planning.
7. Contract includes: broadcast date/times by time zone; fees for member, non-member, per head/site/multi-site; transmission methods; copyright release for taping and printing with use restrictions and fees; and cancellation policy and fees; summary of rights in the offeringbrochure, contract, and facilitator's guide.
8. Provides sample tape to screen before purchase.

B. Production - 9 Points

1. Format is content driven and developed in conjunction with instructional designers.
2. Production professionals with appropriate training and experience in their areas of responsibility will be utilized in all key roles.
3. Production will have high production values.
4. Designed for TV: not just talking heads or old boy discussions.
5. Graphics designed for TV (no overheads, flip charts, transparencies unless designed for TV.)
6. Uses short tape segments to enhance content; produced with professional broadcast equipment.
7. Adheres to published agenda times.
8. 15 minute breaks at least once every 90 minutes.
9. Program's pace/variety maintain high interest.

C. Educational Objectives - 9 Points

1. Program design is content driven and developed by instructional designer/design team.
2. States outcomes, goals, objectives, content level, informational or instructional program (degree credit or CEUs which provide specific learning experiences and skill transfer).
3. Instructional programs will provide exercises, small group work, and ways to apply content (program/wraparound).
4. Instructional objectives will state the specific learning outcomes which participants will be able to achieve after viewing the teleconference and participating in the wraparound. (Ex. Participants will learn how to ____ and apply ___. They will learn the skills of ____, )
5. Content is clearly/narrowly focused; definite purpose aimed at target groups so that participants have a clear sense of learning.
6. Instructional programs use adult education teaching methods which provide ways to interact, apply knowledge immediately, work in small groups, and participate in learning (program/wraparound).
7. Uses a variety of presentation techniques to reach the participants' varied learning styles (visual, auditory, experiential, tactile).
8. Activities and/or presentation methods helpparticipants apply and/or integrate new knowledge with existing information.
9. If longer than two hours, consider a series, narrows focus, or use longer breaks for site exercises to help participants assimilate and apply information.

D. Presenters - 4 Points

1. Presenters selected for unique and recognized content expertise, presentation skills; describe organization which they represent.
2. Additional consideration will be given to any unique credibility that the presenter has.
3. Presenters have professional presentation skills .
4. Moderator has content expertise and professional broadcast experience, controls program (stop long-winded answers/interruptions, keeps scheduled time/agenda), and help participants accept a less experienced content expert.

E. Participant's Handout - 12 Points

1. Provides participant's handout.
2. Provides site with one camera-ready copy of excellent quality on white paper four weeks before the program. FedEx to Canadian sites.
3. Keys handouts to program agenda and prints in that sequence. Participant's handout will include the following:
   
   • Agenda (times listed by time zones for segments, call-ins, breaks), conceptual synopsis, presenters'brief biographies, segment names with content synopsis, format (panel, lecture, tape, etc.).
   • Form to explain call-in process and write questions.
   • Provides major video graphics and explanations.
   • Graphics appropriate for photocopy (line art - not half tones).
   • Sufficiently detailed handout material for content.
   • Ways to apply content exercises, wraparound, self-study.
   • Presenters' bibliographies; additional bibliography.
   • Quality photocopies of copyrighted materials (clippings, etc.) and convey duplication rights (if any).
   • Order form for materials with price and payment method.

F. Interactive Segments - 15 Points

1. Sites will not get continuous phone busy signals.
2. Uses telephone bridge (one line per 10 sites) or four call-in lines with ring-down circuits (calls transfer to next line if main line is busy).
3. Uses alternative ways to receive questions, FAX, computer, etc.
4. Describe call-in equipment, how Q&A will be handled, and how to avoid audio feedback.
5. Announces upcoming Q&A and time allotted.
6. Uses operators who are familiar with content to screen and/or take questions.
7. Allows sites to call in questions continuously to content experts who screen and write up questions.
8. Screens calls to ensure that previously asked questions are not repeated or that questions which trivialize the content will not be aired.
9. Will answer all questions sent during and after conference.
10. All panelists will not respond to each question.
11. If calls ask for clarification, provide it on air before continuing.
12. Uses calls which agree/disagree, or ask for amplification.
13. Interaction helps program flow; pace is not lost through bad or duplicate questions and feedback from inexperienced callers.
14. Interaction is conducted with content experts who are effective in interactive dialogues.
15. Method to contact presenter for clarification after the program.

G. Facilitator's Guide - 3 Points

1. Guide is sent to sites 12 weeks before program.
2. Doesn't assume facilitator content knowledge.
3. Provides clear and specific information on how to market the program.

H. Wraparound - 5 Points

1. Provides approaches for wraparound in initial program offering. Wraparound materials will include :
   • Ways to help facilitator localize information.
   • Suggests qualifications for local experts.
   • Activities include small group exercises.
   • Wraparound discussion questions.

I. Technical - 3 Points

1. Production meets exceeds NAB engineering standards.
2. Displays trouble card if possible and new start time.
3. Not scheduled during solar outage periods or, if scheduled, will state in initial program offering; provides flexible site activities.

J. Marketing - 12 Points

1. Marketing material received by sites 12 weeks before program.
2. Defines target/secondary audience (age, minimum education, job experience, prerequisite courses, skills, required understanding).
3. States benefits that will accrue to the participants.
4. Professional materials with space for site's information. Marketing materials will include the following:
   • Presenter's credentials.
     
   • Target group marketing letters which ask for participation.
     
   • Newspaper advertisements (camera ready).
     
   • Brochures with copy (objectives, benefits, brief presenters' biographies, etc.) for #10 envelope or self-mailers (camera ready).
     
   • Print marketing materials are camera-ready.
     
   • Suggests names/addresses for underwriters.
     
   • Specific target audiences and how to locate them; names of professional organizations, associations and demographic data about the target audience participants; contact for mailing lists.
     
   • During program breaks, a list is run of upcoming teleconferences emphasizing ones in which the same target audience might be interested.

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