Hello,
Online learning takes more components than in class learning. In this environment, the student does not see you, thus, they do not get the normal reaction and class based instructions.
You must have four different roles to show the student that you are engaged in their learning process and to help them transition and function throughout the entire course.
Liz
Richard,
Great post. I love the term renaissance facilitator. We can adjust to these difference and be fabulous online educators. We don't have to be just adequate.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hala,
Good point. You have to share enough to create a relationship but you have to understand that you don't have to share everything.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The online instruction experience is quite different than traditional on-ground instruction so it behooves the instructor to be more of a Renaissance facilitator and be prepared to handle more than the expected Q&A but also the technological aspects as well as being aware that without the face-to-face contact, subtleties such as emotional displays, facial expressions and body language will be lost in the translation of screen-to-screen. So we must adjust to these differences and factor them in when presenting our lessons online.
I would agree that there is more "sharing" of personal information than ever before. Maybe this is because email and forums make it easier for people to open up about their private lives, but it may be a point of consideration that some things do need to stay private.
Kurt,
Great point. I agree with you that there is more multitasking involved.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Jared,
Great post. I do think training is the key. The best online educator is someone who has been an online student.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The role of an online facilitator is multi-faceted. This is not like a ground-campus instructor who stands in front of a classroom full of students. There are many more activities that are occuring in and out of the online classroom that require the facilitator's attention. This starts with just the simple process of keeping students involved all the way through making sure each and every student is gaining the desired knowledge in the course.
Kurt
I think one of the important underlying elements of this question is: what makes facilitating an online course different from teaching ground classes? I focus on this because I've been involved with several schools over the years that have both a ground and an online presence. I've seen first hand instructors (who are no doubt very good ground-based faculty) do a terrible job online. This is undoubtedly because of the many differences that exist -- and because the school did a poor job of preparing them for this.
Online facilitators have to be able to bridge the distance gap -- which requires wearing some different hats (or shoes) at times. Being able to connect with a student who may be 2,000 miles away is a key element in a successful student experience.
Diane,
I love your statement can you wear two different shoes at the same time. I hope soe. You are right with your last statement. Great post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Again, being new to the role of on-line instructor,I find the different pairs of shoes to be an interesting idea. Do the pairs always match? I can see that the instructor/facilitator could almost need to fill all four roles in a short period of time to keep all the students interested and participating. Each role is the most important at the time it is needed by a student, so hopefully it is easy to change shoes as needed.
Stephanie,
True, and it may depend on the institution's resources on the what roles are important for the instructor to play.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Rhonda,
You are right. You need to see as a online student. Have you been an online student?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Ola,
You are right, the go to person is a great way to describe the roles holistically.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
lindsey,
You understand the roles of an online educator. It is a challenge to move from one role to another.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Steven,
LOVE YOUR POST! It is not just about shoes but what you do in them.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Cynthia,
I understand your disagreement. Roles do vary by institution. At my institution, we did not have online IT or distance services. I explained the LMS, registered them in classes, and helped them order books. It is better now!!!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Pamela,
What a great post. Yes, we have to understand our unique role in teaching. We may be better at one role than another but it is important that that we understand them all.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Mary,
What a great post. You do understand your role and the shoes you have to wear at different times.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Carolyne,
You make an interesting point of feeling that you are the online on responsible for success of an online student. We have to make sure that students have a responsibility to that. I agree whatever we do, it is important to make sure our shoes are comfortable. (I love your line)
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
