Facilitation of virtual courses may be authoritative, instructor-centered, or student-centered. These three approaches describe how much is exposited and how much students take responsibility for their own learning in a constructivist environment. The student-centered approach is recommended. In the student-centered approach, the instructor acts as a facilitator, engaging and motivating students, encouraging social relationships, providing direction and support and managing discussion boards. Strong leadership, technology assistance, and prompt informative feedback are key to providing the communication needed under this approach.
