Which one will be the challenge for you?
The role of the online facilitator is different when compared to the traditional bricks and mortar classroom. In the "on ground" classroom environment, instructors can (and often do) rely on the "talk and chalk" approach. Most students are already preconditioned to this method of delivery and they understand the basic expectations as well as the rules for interaction. For the instructor, the main concern is to support learning that takes place via direct instructor/student communication.
In an online environment, the traditional method of delivery is not always the standard and instructors should adapt to accommodate other methods. A few of the methods of learning other than student/teacher communication are student/materials communication, student/student communication, or even student/activity interaction. The support of each of these methods may require a different approach and role for the Instructor.
In addition to these support roles … as the frontline contact with students, online instructors must also occasionally fill other roles such as technical support, administrative triage, and academic advisor. All of these roles were adequately categorized in our reading material as instructor, technical support, administrator and social organizer.
what are the four different roles?
Yes because it helps the online learner to adapt and gain positive reinforcement. To me, building community in an online course is essentially accomplished by getting the students involved in the course and willing to work with other students to develop an excellent learning experience. Basically, anything we can do to get the students working together builds the learning community. We've studied several different methods for accomplishing this, (Dyads, Small Group Projects, Jigsaw activities, building teams, etc.), and they all boil down to getting the students working together. As they work together and get to know each other, they build trust and develop a commitment to their team, and this keeps them working in the course.
That may be an oversimplication, but we have seen here that there are many ways to build community in the online classroom. The issue is for us to take the time and energy to learn enough about any of these methods to give it a good try, to build it into the course, and then evaluate how that particular technique worked for us. What works, I'm convinced, we'll try again. But we need to look at each method carefully, evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, and give it a try for the first time.
You are "spot" on. Great answer
Joy, I like your comment regarding the lack of non verbal communication in the online environment. You are correct in that the facilitator becomes the gatekeeper. Some of these roles aren't necessary in a face to face environment. The online facilitator takes on a greater role in the student's learning process.
Because of the online environment, the online facilitator must wear the four pairs of shoes. Those shoes are instructor, technical support, administrator and social organizer. The role of instructor is obvious. Sometimes technical support is needed by the facilitator. Typically it's not extensive support. The support is more along the line of "how to" perform certain tasks. The administrator and social organizer roles involve "guiding" the student in the course.
I agree also, the facilitator has to anticipate more and that changes the roles also.
I think the main reason has to do with the environment. An instructor must take on a greater role for students due to the lace of non verbal communication present in most online experiences. In essence the facilitator becomes the gate keeper for a host of student experiences that are not normally present in the classroom environment.
-Joy Robinson
Without one of the major roles, Social Organizer, Administrator, Technical Support or Instructor, the course would not proceed correctly and there will be something missing for that student or set of students. It is important to provide all aspects to fulfill the role of facilitator, guiding the students to achieve learning outcomes.
To facilitate requires being the Social Organizer, Administrator, Technical Support and Instructor.
How do they play a role in facilitation.
The four elements constitute the roles the online instructor must fulfill.
Yes those are the four "pairs of shoes" in your facilitation closet!
Dr. W
Hi Dr. Wilkinson,
An online facilitator must wear four "pairs of shows" because at the same time, she is Social Organizer, Administrator, Technical Support and Instructor.
Thank you.
Susan Ceklosky
