---
title: "Moderator Guide"
canonical: "https://help.uxarmy.com/space/DeepDive/99614723/Moderator%20Guide"
format: markdown
---
Each DeepDive session supports up to **2 Moderators**. The moderator who launches the session is the main** Moderator**, while the second moderator joins as the **Co-Moderator**.

This guide walks you through starting a moderated session (1:1 interview, Dyad/Triad or Focus Group) and explains the key controls available during a DeepDive session.

## **Start a DeepDive Session**

From the **Home** page, click **User Interviews**.

Click **Start a Live Session**.

## **Configure your session**

In the **Start a Live User Interview Session** window:

1. Select a **Study Name**.
2. Choose the **Transcription Language** (optional).
3. Enter a **Session Name** (optional).
4. Select the interview type:
  - **1:1 Interview**
  - **Dyad**
  - **Triad**
5. Click **Launch User Interview**.

## **Join the session**

When the session opens:

1. Enter your display name.
2. (Optional) Enable **Use this name for future sessions**.
3. Click **Enter Session**.

You'll be prompted to select your preferred language before entering.

![Enter your display name.png](media://3b85a858-06d6-4728-9159-ced9d92d6036)

*Enter your name to be used in reports*

## **Allow Participants**

When a participant joins, they first appear under **Waiting Participants**.

To allow them into the session:

1. Open **Attendees**.
2. Click **Allow Participant**.

Once admitted, the participant moves to the **Participants** section.

![Allow participants.png](media://659dcebd-b2bb-498d-82e3-54d277c8658d)

*Allow the waiting participants to join the Session*

## **Start recording**

After at least one participant joins, the **Start Recording** button becomes available.

Click **Start Recording** to begin recording the session.

**Note:- **Recording can only be started after a participant has joined the session.

During recording, the button changes to **Stop Recording**, and the session status displays **Recording in progress**.

![Start recording.png](media://d31b6c9b-6e2f-47c4-a0fb-041cf288061c)

*Start the recording from the top left corner of your screen*

### **Session controls**

The top toolbar provides quick access to the following features.

### **Microphone**

Turn your microphone on or off during the session.

### **Camera**

Enable or disable your camera.

### **Share**

Share your screen with participants.

### **Bookmark**

Bookmarks become available once recording starts.

Use **Bookmark** to mark important moments during the interview. These timestamps help you quickly locate moments of recall when reviewing the recording.

![Save Bookmarks.png](media://aa4875d4-1112-4f23-be73-cd4fc9c5d781)

*Insert Bookmarks*

If your study contains multiple tasks, bookmarks can also be used to separate different task sections.

**Note:- **Bookmarks cannot be added before recording starts.

### **Notes**

Click **Notes** to record observations during the session. Notes stay private to the person who created them - a timestamp and their display name is assigned to each Note.

Moderators and Observers can take notes independently, but they cannot view each other's notes during the session.

![Notes.png](media://df4793d7-2c49-4631-91b6-b57548fa2915)

*Multiple participants can add Notes*

### **Chat**

The **Chat** panel contains two tabs.

### **Private**

Use **Private** chat to communicate with Moderators, Observers, and Translators.

Participants cannot see these messages.

### **Participant**

Use **Participant** chat to communicate directly with participants during the interview.

This is useful for:

- sharing instructions
- asking participants to perform a task
- sending prototype links or short messages without interrupting the discussion

### **Attendees**

The **Attendees** panel displays everyone in the session.

Attendees are grouped into:

- Waiting Participants
- Participants
- Moderators
- Translators
- Observers

From this panel you can:

- admit participants
- view who has joined
- assign or change roles
- identify connected devices

### **Role assignment during the session**

Moderators can assign the following roles to an Observer:

- **Co-Moderator**
- **Translator (Language interpreter)**

Observers can watch the session, take notes, and use private chat without interacting with participants.

**Note:- **If an Observer has joined using a mobile device, role switching will not be possible.

![Assign roles.png](media://a0136235-1dde-4b70-bab5-7c6ddbb08bb4)

*Assign Roles to Observers*

## **Leave the session**

To leave the session, the Moderator can click **Leave** in the upper-right corner.

Two options are presented:

### **a. Leave session (others continue)**

Leaves the session while allowing everyone else to remain connected.

You can rejoin using the same session link.

Often used when moderator role is assigned to another colleague or a temporary internet connection glitch due to which audio / video is not functioning properly.

### **b. End session for everyone**

Ends the session for all attendees.

Once ended, everyone is disconnected and the session cannot be resumed. This is used when the session has actually ended or you want to abandon the session as participant did not arrive, etc.