Lynn,
How do you address the different learning styles in the online environment?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
This has sort of the same meaning as "one size does not fit all". Only in this sense we as facilitators have so many variables going on in the classroom that it forces us (should) to utilize many different approaches for the varying types of students and situations that occur on a daily basis. The inflexible will not survive.
Reginald
Each student is different in their learning styles. In an online environment that is harder to "see", unless you ask them to do a survey to identify their type of learning.
This is important to recognize the varying perspectives presented in an online class that can cross cultural and international barriers. Developing the interactive and perspective altering communication provides a richa nd rewarding experience for all the participants (faciliatator included).
I've been doing for a while and never thought about it being overwhelming.
Its important for online facilitators to wear four "pairs of shoes" to be an "Instructor" and to facilitate an effective environment for student outcomes.
The classroom is very diverse, therefore instructors need to wear different hats. At times instructors are guidance counselors, other times providing feedback and other times evaluators. Instuctors need to establish different ways of students learning and retaining knowledge.
We are the Instructor first and our job becomes the Social Director or Facilitator that helps us manage our LMS to reach course objectives. By wearing the Four pairs of Shoes, Instructor, Social Director, Program Manager, and Technical Assistant guides the student to participate in learning and often then becomes Team Orientated and possibly even becomes a team leader; this social networking takes on new forms of learning the objective that could never be reached if we worked on everything as an individual. We can always accomplish more with others than we can on our own. Just some thoughts.
Because we have different roles for each student. It depends on their skill set as to which pair of shoes you willbe wearing.
In order for our students to succeed in the online learning environment, we, as facilitators, have a dynamic responsibility.
As instructors, we are the knowledgeable guide through the coursework. Students should have confidence that their instructor's skills and experience will assist them in their learning.
As social directors, it is important for us to manage the lines of communication between students. By developing a sense of community within the classroom, students become engaged and "buy in".
Our role as program manager is an important one. This is a complex role that allows for the overall course to run smoothly. A good program manager has a class of students who understand what is expected of them because the instructor has clearly outlined the content of the course.
As technical assistant, we are the first person that students will go to when they are experiencing technical difficulties. Having the technology skills to assist students gives them confidence in our abilities and saves precious time, where students do not have to go through the process of reaching out to technical support.
Deborah,
Well said, which one do you think is the most frustrating.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Geraldine,
What about you the role of technical assistant.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Yvette,
Well said, How do you feel about being the technical assistant.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I believe that in teaching, we all wear different hats from time to time. It is that way in teaching online, and it will depend on the type of class format you decide to use. First, we are instructors--a person who the student can ask questions about the topic. The instructor also becomes the mentor.
The second role is social director--the goal is to promote collaboration in the class. The instructor needs to develop a sense of community about the students. The instructor must use an assessment tool that best fits the class that they are teaching.
As program manger, the instructor designs the course, helps the students to use manage their time online and in the workload, and guides the student through the course.
Finally, the instructor serves as technical assistant and helps the students with their technical issues. Instructors must feel comfortable with the technology that they are using. The focus of the course should be centered on the subject matter instead of the technology.
Other roles that an online instructor may take on is the role of counselor--student having problems in the class or needs advice about other online activities.
Instructors wear four or more pairs of shoes because they must meet the expectations of the students which are many.
The online Facilitator has to wear four “pairs of shoes†because this will create the best learning experience for the students. The students will be highly motivated because the instructor is always involved with the students by interacting with them frequently. The instructor facilitates the discussion very well and has the students engaged in their learning. The instructor will always help the students by providing information for them to finish their projects. The instructor will suggest different items that will help them succeed. The online facilitator will also suggest different ways that the students can learn and retain the information.
Yvette,
Hmmm. . .2 feet and 4 pairs of shoes. I like the way you think. ;-) I see your point clearly: guide, social director, program manager, and technical assistant. All, as you have noted, are equally important. Nice job.
It is important for the online instructor to wear four pairs of shoes to ensure that the learning outcomes are achieved. For example, the online facilitator serves as an instructor to guide the students through the process. The online facilitatior serves as a social director to ensure that the students are responsive to the feedback and communication that exists within the forum. As well, the online facilitator serves as a program manager to provide the students time management skills. last, the online facilitator is a technical assistant when the student needs assistance with usage of the technology.
The role of an online instructor is crucial. The instructor must motivate the students throughout the course, must be a content expert, and a good communicator, making sure the course, the content, instructional techniques , and assessments are meeting the institutional as well as the students’ expectations.
Students expect us to be teacher, mentor, leader, facilitator, counselor, etc. We must be ready for different student abilities, scenarios, personal issues and the list goes on. At the same time, however, we must move the students toward the goals of the class.
The four pairs of shoes involves reaching out to the student's personal reality. The instructional design of the curriculum serves to provide educators with sound suggestions to integrate the student’s interest into the curriculum. I believe the use of student centered learning requires an approach for the instructor to set the behavioral example. The student-centered example establishes opportunity for implementation of the self-fulfilling prophecy. Using the Pygmalion effect, educators demonstrate the relevance and meaning of the content through the delivery. The effective instructional design integrates and values the student’s perception, which promotes the students confidence about their personal view of the subject connected through the student's personal experience. Using this approach empowers the student to use critical thinking and encourages confidence for using personal interpretation skills. This is similar to the positive effects of authentic assessment, which promotes student confidence and motivates the student to develop self-actualization (Diamond, 1998). Authentic assessment contributes very effectively to building solid student efficacy. When students have empowering examples set by the facilitator and other students in the class this motivates change. Positive feedback in discussion question forums directed to the student's posted content invokes positive feelings. The Pygmalion affect which is a self-fulfilling prophecy is a fundamental pragmatic approach for teaching practice that contributes to motivate the improvement of the student’s self confidence and stimulates positive influence for a student’s belief system.Â
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What are your thoughts?
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Reference
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Diamond, R. M. (1998). Designing and assessing courses
   and curricula: A practical guide. San Francisco. Jossey-Bass
