Morissa,
I like your addition. It is important for student's critical thinking to play the role.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Agreed, but I like to add one more shoe - "devil's advocate." So often my students just agree with each other in order to get it "over with." So I like to play devil's advocate to get debate and critical thinking going a bit more. I find it also helps to engage them and give them something to discuss substantively.
Dennis,
Wow, you make such great points. You have to do exactly all of that! You have to let students lead at times and explore their ideas. This isn't easy with undergrads!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Tina ,
True, there are several "plates in the air" regarding an online course. You as the facilitator may have a strength that you need to expand. You have to establish a routine so the students can do the same regarding their learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The role of the facilitator is an interesting role. The facilitator must be able to be supportive and also know how to design posts that are engaging so that everyone is motivated to respond. The facilitator needs to know when to jump in and respond and when to let students respond to different posts. I find that certain pertinent questions that pertain to specific assignments are ones that I address by sending out an e-mail to the entire class to make sure that everyone knows what is expected.
The online facilitator is needed to wear the multiple pairs of shoes because of the required elements an online instructor needs to provide to the students. Face-to-face involves lecture, presented content, and evey videos. Online, however, does not allow for lectures per say even though they able some synchronized contact with students. The lectures cannot be long. The presentation of the content in a well organized matter allows for the student to understand what is expected and allow for further questions to be asked if necessary. Proper use of and understanding about the technology is necessary so as not to hinder the learning flow. Also, the instructor has to be present in the virtual room by the postings to the discussion boards, questions via e-mails, and announcements.
Tina Means
Kenneth,
I agree with you. I also think we are asking quite a bit of our instructors to be the experts in all areas. The best way to tackle these areas is to identify experts at the institution that can help you. The idea of you guide being guide to help point students in the right direction for help!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Khal,
You are correct you have to be able to do all of the duties to some extent. It is important that you remain the guide and they take ownership of their actions.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Nicholas,
True, the key term you used is guide. We have to remember that!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Stephanie,
Great point. We aren't in the learning process to do everything for them ( they will ask). We are to help them, guide them. I have at times called myself their tour guide. I point out the "high points" and they need to determine if they are going to investigate those "high points".
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Janet,
You are right about guidance, in many ways. You are the point person for the institution. Great point about being like a director of a play. You have to be able to multitask!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
You are absolutely right Michael. You will be there to support the students in many ways.
The facilitator may be able to fill all four roles, but the issue of technology is always one where the facilitator may need help. This area may require the assistance of someone who is trained and experienced at technology trouble shooting. This, in all likelihood, will not be the facilitator. The school should have a technical assistance line just in case the problems are outside the course and are system related.
Ken Burger
Dr. Wilkinson,
I feel that it is important for an online instructor to wear four "pair of shoes". They would allow the instructor to effectively communicate, guide, interact, and engage all students in the learning process and give all of them access to all the tools so that everyone has the opportunity to be successful in the course and beyond.
On another note, I would suggest either rephrasing or rewording the answer in the question/answer section in "Developing a Facilitation Plan".
Sincerely,
Khal Lahlou
The facilitator must take on the roles of teacher, technology guide, course designer, and student guide. The facilitator needs to perform each of these aspects in order to help the course run smoothly
We wear many "hats" (or shoes, if you will) and we have to facilitate or juggle all those balls up in the air. Students are looking for us for the answers whether it be about content, how to post an assignment, what to do about a technical issue or if they are experiencing a personal problem. I thought it was interesting to find a definition for facilitate as make an action or process easy or easier as well as assist the progress of a person. It seems a spot on look at all that we do to help our students achieve their goals in both the long term and short term and serve as the guide through the class, and often beyond.
There are many roles assumed by an online instructor - teacher, guidance counselor, communication point person and director. Obviously you have points to convey and expertise as a teacher. But beyond that you need to be a counselor to provide guidance to students when they are having difficulty either with course work or life situations beyond their control. Also you need to be a communication expert to facilitate the online discussions between students and direct the discussion to the student's benefit.
Finally you are the director - much like a play. You need to organize the course, counsel the cast of characters and guide the cast to the completion so the final production accomplishes the desired objective.
Frances,
What a great post. I agree with you that about student interaction. It is so important. It can be done in online it takes on a different look.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Jeremy,
That can be one. I know I have been expected to be the university IT expert, financial aid expert, and librarian. I try to have a go to person that covers those areas. That is so important to students.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
carol,
You are right. You are the point person for the university and they come to you for information. Support can be so different from institution to institution or even college to college. You do have to make sure that you know information to help. I always make sure that I have links to library and try to have a library session to connect. There are other examples. . . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
