It's true that online facilitators have to fulfill many roles. Unlike FtF instructors, students often find themselves asking the instructor for guidance because we are their "main" point of contact during a session. They do not normally walk past an advisor's office, or past tech. support, as they may in a physical school. They may not feel comfortable approaching an advisor with whom they have had only limited contact. However, as the 'person' (identity?) which they regularly run-into when logged on, the instructor is often the first one who comes to mind, and the easiest to contact.
Therefore, instead of sending students on a hunt-and-peck chase to find information, it's often simplest if the instructor can just answer their questions right away. With experience, most of us find this to be second nature, and get comfortable either answering the questions, or sending students directly to the person who can answer the question.
As online instructors we really are "jack's of all trades..." We need to meet the ever changing needs of our students in a unique virtual learning environment. I find that I am constantly evolving and changing my approach to meet the diverse learning styles of my students.
I agree that we have the roles of many people as online facilitators. We are the teacher, guidance counselor, IT guy, and I believe often a life counselor. My experience has been that online students often have varied lives, and they are often difficult. Sometimes I feel like our classes need to work around this. As a facilitator, I want my students to have success. Those that are having life stressers often report not experiencing much success. So, I help them find it through individualized flexibility in the class. I don't just let them have free reign, but I do give them plenty of options to complete their work.
Shelley,
That is true, Shelley. We are the "institution" to them. For traditional students, the development of virtual community does not usually pose a problem, with nontraditional students, it can be a critical problem.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The learners in our online classes are in some ways much more dependent on us due in large part to their relative isolation. While the instructor role remains similar to the onground classes, the learners cannot lean across the aisle and ask the next learner “What did he say?’ or “What do you think she meant by thatâ€. There are fewer opportunities to develop a sense of community – fewer clubs, fewer group fun activities (e.g., no football, no car washes, etc.) The platform is no longer a podium and the technology itself provides the need for technical proficiency which will need to be imparted to our learners. As online facilitators, we must take on these additional roles.
Peter,
I think we chose shoes because, well, I have more shoes than I have hats :). I think you make a great point that is lost on many of us; we are the school! I am going to have to think about that more. Great post!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Margarette,
I love your great post! I agree that that we have to be the professional example and even the grown up in the room; even in a virtual room.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Tracy,
I want to use your comment. It is great. I will cite you! :)
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
LaBoore,
You are right, you have to be very adept at addressing the issues in a variety of different ways.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Aida,
You make a great point. You have to create that safety zone. We forget about that in the online environment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Dear Dr. Wilkinson,
The online facilitator is the “school†to the student. He or she is the one person the student relies on for all aspects of learning. The students would be lost if they had to rely on so many people who they did not know. They come to know the instructor who should be able to facilitate any concerns the student may have. It goes way back to elementary education, the instructor always said, if I don’t know the answer to your question, I will find out the answer and get back to you. It is somewhat ingrained into the student population. So yes, the online facilitator is the one wearing four pair of shoes, or where I grew up the person wearing many hats.
Well, I see that as just part of our job. Never, in my long career as a teacher, have I been "just a teacher". We are all so much more.
And don't forget, on top of it all, role model. That's the one I take very seriously, and always strive to be a role model of professionalism, humanity, good manners, blah blah blah. I am a much nicer persona on line than I am in real life!
The wonderful thing about teaching online is the delete button. I can always edit the presentation to make sure it's professional but human.
But online adds the extra challenge of IT troubleshooter.
I guess the bottom line is I feel this is all important because it's part of my job, and I believe it's my duty to be the best I can be. That sounds so austere, maybe prissy, but it's the Girl Scout. That training never left me :)
Thank you for your response, Dr. Wilkinson. Flexibility is viewed as, the quality of being adaptable or variable. In an of itself, a flexible mind yields greater potential - for many sorts of learning outcomes.
-Travy
Wenda,
So, are we therapists? It also shows the comfort level they have with the technology and instructor!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Michelle,
Great comments! I do introduce myself as the tour guide for learning. I just point out the landmarks!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Theran,
Great example of situational leadership! We have to be very empathetic to our students without judging and still remember,we are just instructors in a course.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Theran,
TruE! I also find that if you started years ago teaching online, you were an "island". We designed our courses uploaded it, and learned the LMS. Now as many of us are entering new online instruction paradigms at our institutions it becomes our responsibility to educate ourselves on resources that will ultimately benefit the students. Pioneers can only be pioneers for a while. . . then they become dinosaurs :)
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
MeriAnn,
At least in the first connections with the student. I find that some instructors don't know that they have other resources in the institution available. That really can lead to frustration on the part of the instructor.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
MeriAnn,
We as instructors also need to be aware of resources that institutions provide for online learners. More and more resources are being created because of the pressure of providing an "equal" experience to the f2f environment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
James,
If you are lucky, your institution will help you provide some of the resources that helps you facilitate the different areas, the problem is you become the point person. Nice comments
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
