I feel that it is important for an online facilitator to wear four "pairs of shoes" because the teacher should be well rounded in faciliation of a classroom. As some of my peers have stated a teacher has to wear many hats in order to be successful in a classroom. As a teacher you can't just be good in grading and not in communicating.
Thanks,
Roy Hawkins
The ability to provide creativity, input, control and guidance is what makes teachers, facilitators, instructors, who they are. Four pairs of shoes? Thats just for starters...
Anne,
How do you describe the hats you wear?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
To go with the multiple hats she is wearing!
shane,
What a great answer! You are right; as the online educator, you are viewed as the expert.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Not only does the facilitator wear all of those shoes, but needs to take in consideration that at times they are a mentor at the end of the day because whether we like it or not we are viewed as the expert and need to act accordingly.
Kim,
Interesting use of etextbooks. Nice answer!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think it is important as online facilitators to make sure that our online students do not feel like they are alone and without support.
I tend to wear many hats and if I am asked a question in which I do not know the answer, I find the answer!
We have to also be careful and monitor discussions to make sure it is a conducive learning environment and everyone is treated respectfully.
We use online books and have to help students with issues in regards to e-book functionality and have to make sure that I understand this functionality as well as address other technical challenges that my students might face.
Kim Houck
June,
Good point. Students need a good orientation to an online course and/or program.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
June,
Great answer! You are right about the complexity of the online educator. I also think it is becoming more complex in the f2f classroom also, as students are just not as well prepared as in the past. Thoughts?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I do see online students struggling more than in-seat ones. I think it is because they don't have the continual presence of the instructor and interaction with peers. So the instructor must assimilate such an environment to make students feel comfortable and valued. If the student is struggling more than most, one can refer him/her to a tutor or writing center. Online education should be fun and intuitive if folks keep at it. That is our job...to make sure the students keep at it.
Students rely on us for many aspects of their learning experience. As an instructor, I provide the information and guidance a student needs to learn. As a director, I make sure that all is going as planned and that everyone knows what is expected and what needs to be corrected. As a program manager, I set the stage for what is expected and for what tasks are designed. And as a technical assistant, I need to keep up with current technologies to answer student questions about them. The role of an online teacher is a lot more complicated that one might suppose!
Holly,
Really? This will make teaching online very hard to manage without expectations. It will also make it difficult for students to understand your expectations.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think every situation is different.
Holly,
Is there a role that is more important?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I would have to say more than four "pairs of shoes." Technically the instructor is little bit of everyone that was discussed in the Unit III plus more. From facilitator, to evaluator, to counselor, to..... the list goes on and on.....
Daniel,
Yes, you are right, now. . . how do you recognize that classroom personality online?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Daniel,
True! We also have to make sure that we don't multitask so much that we short change each role.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think that you need to teach to your classroom Peter. Every class has a different feel and as such, requires us to do different things. Sometimes we can go at a faster pace and sometimes we need to slow down some.
I think this would be the same as saying we need to wear many different hats. It happens at work, at home and in teaching. Its difficult to wear all thoes shoes at times but that is what is required and needed by the student to be successful in the classroom.
