The instructor, as a facilitator, needs to evaluate student learning to determine if learning occurred and if the academic, social, and pragmatic needs of the learner were met.
Definetly true. As facilitator, instructor, guidance/financial/emotional etc. counselor, we have to understand the students' needs. This will give them assurance that we do care.
Ms Dimayuga
If the four roles are:
1.Instructor
2.Social Director
3.Program Manager
4.Technical Assistant (taken from Terry's post above)
These are crucial to the successful function of a classroom because of the unique dynamics on an online classroom. Students are naturally conditioned to traditional learning environments, they know the rules and expectations. Online education involves an orientation process and the four roles are necessary for the orientation and encouraging of students to participate in the process. Without functioning in all these roles students may not adapt to the classroom and, thus, not succeed in online learning.
E.Barnett
As a facilitator of learning the instructors need to wear four pairs of shoes so that they can adequately meet the needs of their students. With online instruction, the facilitator will need to be different things to their students at different times. Some students may need more help with technology than other students. This is especially the case for students of different generations.
Some student are more social and need the instructor to work with them from that perspective. It is also very important for the facilitator to make sure the course is organized so that the student does not become frustrated with the design or content of the course.
Finally, the facilitator must help the student with completing the tasks of the course which will help lead the student to a successful learning outcome.
The educator is the key asset of the human resources within the framework of higher education. As a traditional brick and mortar faculty member, there are not as many barriers to attrition as there are in the online environment. Therefore, the online facilitator must be flexible, open, empathetic, and knowledgeable. My background is in Accounting, Organizational Psychology and I hold a PPS Credential in California for Counseling. I believe this wide range of both technical and social skills I have acquired assists me in the online classroom to maintain a high retention rate and help push the students towards success.
Why would on line be any different than in a classroom?
Students are students; throw in the use of the internet and we add one more line to the job description on a teacher!
Actually I feel that the Online Facilitator should be responsible for wearing three pairs--not four pairs of "shoes." Obviously fulfilling multiple roles as an Online Facilitator is important because the instructor is the person with whom the students spend the most time with and receives guidance from. However, the instructor as a "technical assistant" is a role that I feel an Online Facilitator should not have to be responsible for.
I have been in situations when students come to me with a question about a technical issue they are having. How do I know why they are having any given technical issue? How do I know if it is because of an application issue or a systems requirement issue? I wouldn't even know the type of questions to ask he or her. And, why would schools have a 24-hour technical support (or support) number for students to call if the expectation is for the instructor to solve their tech problem?
I always tell my students that technical issues should be directed to technical support. Truth be told, I do not have the type of technical background to trouble shoot or problem-solve when I may not be clear on exactly what problem they are having or even how to help them solve it. Obviously, if I can provide help, I generally do (if it's a simple and obvious problem ). If not, they are likely to get their issue resolved more quickly and effectively by someone who has the technical expertise.
I don't care what anyone says. I have enough technical background to enable me to function in my role as an instructor/facilitator. I do not have any training or a background in Computer Science.
Christi, you interjected a key point that I feel is on target. "The facilitator should act as the subject matter expert."
What if the instructor is not a subject matter expert in computer technology? Also, should an instructor have to be an expert in computer technology as well as the area-specific subject matter that he or she is teaching?
An instructor wears four shoes (or hats) in an online classroom. First, we teach. We are subject matter experts and that is one of our essential duties. We guide students to help them see connections and gain knowledge.
Second, we are cheerleaders. We motivate students to continue moving forward. This can be fostering growth with lower level students and challenging higher level students to want to find more about the concepts.
Third, we are trouble shooters. This can be LMS tech trouble shooters and it can be a trouble shooter for word processing or even email. The more comfortable we are with the tools that are used in the classroom, the more likely we are to help students with the information they need to access the classroom.
Finally, we evaluate and offer feedback. Students will never know where they are in the class if we are not giving them feedback and guidance on how to improve.
Erica
I really like the concept of "4 pairs of shoes". Aside from being very visual, these four areas are very different. The instructor must be able to recognize when each of these applications is most effective and within each of these areas, are very diferent tasks which require varying degrees of implementation. Therefore, the instructor continues to develop their own level of responsiveness and how to develop effective relationships with online students. Firm but flexible, understanding but holding them to personal responsibility, situations may require multiple assessments and actions. Each of these "shoes" can utilize very different skills for the instructor's development and ultimately contribute to making the online environment a valuable learing experience for the student.
Having the ability to multi-task provides an essential character for a facilitator. Being able to put on multiple hats, open the opportunity to relate to your students.
Ken
I think wearing 4 pairs of shoes is a better choice than wearing 4 hats, for the instructor should be walking the path with the students. The 4 paths the instructor takes would be:
The course manager to keep everyone focused on the same task
The cheerleader and coach for the students, to keep them motivated
The captain of the ‘ship’ to direct the path of the course and learning
The communicator to keep the course information and provide or facilitate the learning
I really love this analogy of wearing four pair of shoes and sometimes feel that way. It seems to me that these different shoes of instructor, social director, program manager and technical assistance really frame up my daily activities. The importance of these different shoes really adds to the overall learning experience for the student and instructor alike.
The "Four Pairs of Shoes" as listed in the course are:
1.Instructor
2.Social Director
3.Program Manager
4.Technical Assistant
We Online Facilitators are the primary bridge between the student and the course. As such, it is necessary for us to play these various roles. Of course we have help with all of them if needed through the various groups within the University established to help in the respective area. For example, we have the "Technical Support" group if we are unable to give a quick answer; we have the Learning Center to help with tutoring where needed; etc. However, even though we have much help in the facilitating, we will always be the first, primary, and most important contact with the student as they navigate the learning process.
Thomas,
That is interesting, if that works for you then that is great. As long as you are consistent with all students.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Heather,
True, and if you are prepared for questions, you may have something already created to help them with a task.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Timothy,
You make a great point! Yes, you have to do so much as you are the person they connect with (hopefully).
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Gretchen,
Don't you think that it is important to be a technology resource? Is that provided for you by your institution?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Lisa,
You are lucking in that they cap. Many online courses at other institutions put MORE students in online courses. Class size is important.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Susan,
You are right, many of the roles we are talking about SHOULD be followed in any learning environment!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
