4 Responses

1. Role of facilitation in learning
   Joanne
   Other recent questions on the site may give you some insights. Gilly Salmon’s book “E-Moderating” is excellent but I think very important considerations include the subject, the level of learner ability, the learning philosophy employed, the culture within which you are working, the skills and experience of the facilitator, the learners’ experience with e-learning, the time available for learning, the technologies being employed – to name but seven! We use different styles and approaches based on these and other factors. Our style in on-line facilitating of senior manager strategy discussions is very different to, for example, the teaching style we use to introduce a new topic to less experienced managers.

   Clive Hook

2. Transfer the best of what you do already
   Hello Joanne,

   At DotCorp we have been working on this issue as we are running an internal ‘e-enabled tutor’ programme for our facilitators.

   We have agreed that a key issue is maintaining facilitators’ confidence that they can transfer their good practice to electronically-enabled media. Some training seems to talk down to people who have massive expertise in learning facilitation just because they aren’t very e-aware. So they start of feeling undervalued and this can detract from their ability to develop into excellent online facilitators.

   We also believe that “humanising” the technology used by learners is crucial.
   Online learners often miss the little rituals that support them when dealing with challenging new material – like talking through the implications of new concepts over tea and biscuits. So it’s important to find ways of providing these comforts in the e-learning environment. Asking everyone to have a few Jammie Dodgers to hand before an online workshop is the kind of touch that helps humanise the experience.

   Most importantly, I suppose, relax and enjoy!

   Best wishes,

   Lucy.

3. Trainer Becomes Manager
   Hi Joanne

   I see the trainer’s role as changing to that of elearning manager (an extension of classroom manager?).

   The trainer as manager needs to ensure those enrolled can use the technology; understand where to find things; participate in discussion groups; chat sessions; are challenged; and don’t fall by the wayside.

   And of course the trainer has to be subject expert also.

   I wrote an article about managing online learning which I’m happy to share if you want a copy. Please email me at robin@dwave.com.au.

4. On-line Facilitation Issues
   Dear Joanne

   Amongst other things I would recommend that you consider establishing strategies for:

   -Creating relationships with new learners
   -Communicating appropriately with learners
   -Providing administrative support
   -Providing learners with technical and subject matter expertise
   -Initiating activities that will facilitate learning
   -Providing learners with support and encouragement
   -Ensuring learners Foundation knowledge and understanding
   -Assessing learners’ performance
   -Using web pages for communication with and between learners
   -Using email for communication with learners
   -Using bulletin boards and discussion forums for communication with and between learners
   -Using text, audio and video conferencing for communication with and between learners

   For more information please visit the IITT Competency Framework for e-Learning Tutors at:

   http://www.elearningprofessional.com/certification/competencies.asp?CertificationID=12

   I hope this helps.

   Regards