As a teacher in an online environment, the students need more from you than the regular classroom. They don't have the personal connection that they can get in a face to face classroom so we have to try extra hard to connect with them through communication and feedback and the other many hats we wear.
Valerie,
I would add that! It is listening to the words and reading between the lines don't you think? Great post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Julie,
That is true, but many times you are also the social director to help them interact with each other. You may be the diagnostician to determine strengths and weaknesses in learning. You may have to be the technician to help with technology. These other "jobs" are different than a traditional f2f instructor.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have been teaching online for over five years and I actually think online facilitators wear five pairs of shoes. I have found the fifth pair would be that of a listener. I have many students email me with questions/concerns/problems not really related to my course. They must feel comfortable enough with me to open up and ask for help.
If we as facilitators would close that door, I think that we would see a huge drop in enrollment and student activity.
Why do you feel it is important for an online facilitator to wear four "pairs of shoes"?
The first thing that comes to my mind is what I’ve read in the lecture:
Communication, fostering a learner-centered environment, structuring problem-based learning, and providing meaningful, informative feedback are the 4 important tasks for an online facilitator.
Loriann,
You make such an important point; it isn't just us wearing different shoes students do too! For us as facilitators we need to recognize the shoes they are wearing to help them adapt to the learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
It is important for online facilitators to wear multiple pairs of shoes. This has become the norm and standard in the online arena. Instructors are the nucleus to the course as they provide the necessary guidance, support, foundation for the success of our students. While students rely on us to guide them through the course, they themselves are wearing multiple pairs of shoes battling the day to day responsibilities of work, family, school, etc. We have to very cognitive and supportive to the many different ways we communicate with students.
Telicia,
So many times the instructors are the only contact students have with the university. Once you solve a problem for a student, you have proven to them you are a valuable resource and they will continue to go to them for answers.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
As an online fascilitator, because we aren't active within a physical classroom, we have to play all sides in order to relay the information to the student. We have to be instructor, tech assistant, program director and social director because these students rely on all of that in order to be successful in the course. We are the first line of communication so even if we don't have the answer, we need to have the resources available for them.
Sarah,
You are so right. Can you imagine being a student and never taking an online course, logging onto the LMS? That would be so overwhelming. It is the instructor that becomes the guide to help the student find their learning "groove".
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Students can feel very overwhelmed in a online course, especially if they are new to the online environment or to the content itself. It is very important as a facilitator to be able to meet whatever specific needs each student has as it relates to engaging with the course.
Joi ,
You are right, you are also the eyes and ears of the university as you are the contact point for the student. We prove ourselves by provide accurate information and guiding students through their learning journey.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I feel it is important for an online facilitator to wear four "pairs of shoes," because we are pretty much the "eyes" and "ears" for the course. The student depends on us to direct the course because they pull from our strength to guide them through. We have to direct our classroom in different ways from being a social director to the person that explains technology because they are learning through us. I think this also helps the student to trust our guidance when we showcase how much knowledge we have (we have to be careful not to be boastful) because then it will motivate them to find the same knowledge as well.
Lauree,
I love how you took the analogy and made it better! It really does require "moving and standing" in different places to make sure you meet the needs of each student.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I like the example of 'wearing different shoes' rather than 'different hats' because it implies that as instructors, we are 'moving' and 'on a journey'.
And as we all know, different shoes are suited for different occasions. And that applies to teaching too! When wearing my practical flat instructor shoes, I am teaching the basic knowledge content of my course - simple and factual. My beautiful sparkly social director shoes provides hospitality to encourage students further communication and socialization within the online class. My serious black heels are necessary as the program manager to keep my class room in order. And last but not least are my Birkenstock sandals to answer all those techie questions (since technology is continually changing).
Life as a teacher would be boring without a complete set of shoes for my class room!
Peter,
What a great example. You make a great point that should be noticed by all. We may have needed to add another and that is industry expert. I had not thought of that. Great, another pair of shoes. . . . :)
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Angela,
We do have quite a bit of responsibility but that comes with the online territory. Isolation is the barrier and we are the ones to break that barrier down.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Julie Ann,
That is true but don't you think all good teachers feel that way? I like that you used "successful facilitator" that is indeed true.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Elin,
True and you are the first line representing the university. You don't have to know everything, just who to ask!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
As a facilitator I have to understand that my students have more than one focus. I have to understand their needs beyond the classroom. The other day a fifth pair of shoes were added. Loneliness. I contacted a student about an incomplete assignment and she asked if I had a moment to talk. For the next 20 minutes she expressed everything on her mind about what she was doing and why she was doing it. Often students need that “ear†that friends and family do not share because they are not a part of the industry.
