Bill,
I am not sure I understand what you are saying.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
First our world of online is not a static one dimensional format
with the mobile world we are in
we can communicate and learn from a variety of methods thus it requires us as facilitators to utilize all elements available to use
The facilitator or instructor must be all things to all students, as different students have different needs throughout the course.
So you can see what is going on from different perspectives. We also have to change our instructional methods to ensure we are addressing the many learning styles of students.
That is so true! So many hats to hear between lecturer, tech support, helper, the go to person!
I think it is important for the online facilitator to wear "four pairs of shoes," because as the Module stated, the instructor is really someone who guides the student through the course. They are there to be an instructor, administrator, social director and so on. I think the biggest challenge in online teaching would be wearing the hat of the social director and making sure the students are respectful toward one another.
Online facilitators must be able to go in many directions. They need to be a teacher, a leader, a counselor, and sometimes a learner. As an online facilitator, I have when to run, walk, dance, and stand still.
Actually, I do not totally agree, in the sense that with a large class and new material for students, I rely on the Help Desk to deal with IT related issues. Especially since, as instructors we must master the instructional side of the LMS, there is rarely time to master the student side.
With help available through online chats, phones, etc. students need to rely on IT/Help Desk to complete technical tasks beyond basic posting and uploading.
It is important for the instructor to not only acknowledge their responsibilities when wearing the "four pairs of shoes", but also we must embrace the roles and the impact that they may have on ensuring that the students experience positive learning opportunities within our classrooms.
Esther,
Good point! It is not easy but then, teaching isn't easy. I would hope that our f2f colleagues would see their roles the same way. . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Ben,
True, it is so important to engage the students to communicate with each other also.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kimberly,
True, It is so important to know what is available for the online student from the institution.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Monica,
So, do you wear those hats when you teach f2f?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Ben,
Good post! You have a good handle on the responsibilities of the online instructor.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kathleen,
I agree with you! An instructor is that connection and has the role of social director to prevent the isolation!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Mary,
That is true but we have to make sure that there is engagement with other students. You want to make sure that you don't have a correspondence course.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
megan,
I love your post and agree with you! I hope that my colleagues in the f2f environment work as hard to engage and retain as many of by online colleagues.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
ANTHONY,
That is just how we defined the different roles. I would hope that f2f instructors feel they have to provide their students with the same type of attention. I do think we have to be aware that we are the primary contact that student has with the institution.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Eryn,
True, we don't have to be the complete experts but we do have to know where to provide students with that information.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Angela,
There is just work to be done in an online environment isn't there? I do think we have to make sure that we know how to provide them with the resources needed. I hope we that attentive to our f2f classes.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
