Tertiary Education New Zealand » facilitation

Read:Online Success – a recipe for learners and facilitators

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:59:51 +0000

Some practical basics are summarised in this recommended reading from the “Designed for Learning” blog which briefly describes some of the essential considerations is learning and facilitating online.

Learners in an Online Environment
All learners, irrespective of whether they attend online or onsite training have to be motivated and committed to the learning process. However, as online learners, we need more than that! Based on my experience, here are some points to consider…

Read the full post here: http://tarunagoel.blogspot.com/2010/02/online-success-recipe-for-learners-and.html

Download: Effective online facilitation

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:40:11 +0000

This overview from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework is an excellent summary of key aspects of good online facilitation. It begins to explore the complexity of this function and demonstrates why this is a skilled and specialised role in effective elearning.

Just as the teacher manages discussions and learning activities in the traditional classroom, so it is online.

However, online teaching has some special challenges: students often have not met one another or the teacher, the nature of communication is limiting and void of visual cues, and there are challenges keeping tabs on individual students’ learning when they are studying remotely.

The role of the online teacher or facilitator is therefore both special and crucial for effective learning outcomes and enjoyable learning experiences.

Download: Effective online facilitation (.pdf)

Why skilled facilitators are essential in elearning

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:39:46 +0000

In the delivery of best practise elearning we have a strong preference for faciliatated elearning. Facilitated elearning is where learner’s are guided, supported and assisted by a programme facilitator (who in other places might be called a tutor, instructor or teacher).

The use of the word facilitator is quite deliberate – though it is a mouthful. We find that it is the most acccurate description for this critical role in the programmes we deliver.

Best practise elearning strives to be genuinely learner centered. To achieve this it is essential that learners are supported, encouraged, guided, and assisted to interact, collaborate and learn. This requires facilitation of learning, not teaching at learners and not instruction of learners.

The classic quote is that the facilitator’s role is to be “guide on the side, not sage on stage”.

The use of technology is significant in the elearning context. In the early days, the use of technology in learning was too often seen as able to stand independently of facilitators, in some kind of automated and self-directed learning experience.

Fortunately as elearning has evolved it has become clear that technology is a vehicle for learning, an opportunity to enable collaboration over distance, and can enhance the learning experience – but is NOT a substitute for skilled facilitation.

The reality is that the most effective learning can not take a one-size fits all approach. Standardised learning does not reflect the diversity of learners and their individual needs. A facilitator is able to respond to this variety in a way that adds value to the learning experience.

Similarly collaboration is key and not entirely predictable. Good facilitation fosters good team dynamics, constructive group work, keeps discussions on track and addresses unexpected issues which can arise.

In short, even the best instructional design is enhanced by skilled facilitation.

For further details on the complex role of facilitation in elearning try:

Wearing Four Pairs of Shoes: The Roles of E-Learning Facilitators

Learning Light E-Learning Centre: Facilitating E-Learning