Instructors need to be able to handle these four areas when facilitating an online course: instructor, social director, program manager, and technical assistant. Since the student could feel as if he/she is alone taking the class, it is a job of the instructor to manage these areas and help the students learn the subject matter presented, engage with the content and classmates, keep the course running on the admin side and help students with small technical issues or be able to direct them to experts for larger issues.
Students are not in the same environment as if they were in a traditional brick and mortar class setting so they rely on the instructor to be their first go to when issues arise. The instructor is also the main point of contact for class items and learning so the student has a dependance created there as well. Being the main contact point for a student, the instructor needs to wear those shoes.
Kelly,
It is important for an online facilitator to wear "four pairs of shoes" because she/he is required to be an instructor, a social director, a program manager, and a technical assistant at the same time. As an instructor, the facilitator is responsible for facilitating collaboration within a course.
As a social director, the facilitator is responsible for fostering good communication that help to motivate learners and guide interactions among learners. As a program manager, the facilitator is responsible for organizing course materials in such a way that students can easily locate and use them. Finally, as a technical assistant, the facilitator should master facilitation tools that she/he uses and she/he should be able to explain how the tools work to students.
Laura,
I agree that an online environment can be confusing and intimidating for students. This is especially true for students that have limited computer literacy. However, I have also seen computer literate students that find virtual classrooms challenging especially when they are taking their first online course.
I think that an online facilitator needs to be able to transition to different roles during the term of a course to assist specific students in a way that they might need. Sometimes you need to be the social director and then other times you need to be more of an administrator and then even sometimes help with technology challenges that students might be having. You must wear several hats or "shoes" :-)
Our obvious role is to teach the subject matter. To be able to do this in the online environment, requires that we keep the students engaged by being the "social director" and motivating them to become engaged in the discussions. The Instructor also manages the classroom by monitoring and grading assignments. Technical assistance may also be required of the instructor for the struggling student. This last component should only go as far as the instructor's comfort with technology - know when to direct the student to technical support.
Mary Johnston
Since we are not in front of a classroom, we are unable to use direct communication and body language in our teaching. This means that wearing four pairs of shoes and making ourselves play the different roles makes the class more accessible to all in different ways. Being able to organize, facilitate, change and grow, and evaluate the course as we go makes it better for all of our learners.
Because there are so many different types of learners out there; you want to be sure that your teaching style is responsive to these varied needs.
The classroom environment is dynamic and a range of skills is required of the facilitator. I am very interested to learn, however, that "Grader" is not a function of the online facilitator! Turns out my school has been doing it wrong this whole time. I am certain my administration will be delighted to learn that they no longer need to expect me to grade the tsunami of assignments that I receive each week!
Regrading grading - I forgot to add my "lol." Grading, regardless of the quiz answers, is a fifth "pair of shoes."
The facilitator needs to be able to address various issues regarding student needs. They are the first line of education in terms of being accessible to the student and should be able to fluctuate in their approach to teaching.
The facilitator is responsible for guiding the learner through the process in a course. To accomplish this, the facilitator needs to carefully communicate the processes, requirements, standards and accept feedback. Each individual has unique approaches to learning. Clear guidelines and communication resolve a lot of stress early in the course. By integrating multiple approaches to facilitation the maximum number of students can be reached. Feedback and evaluation help determine the effectiveness of the facilitation. The goal is always to maximize the students learning.
As instructors, we are the 'face' of our school. Students expect us to be able to help with all of their school-related needs. Knowing how to guide the student to the right resources is a critical skill in student success, and thus our success.
Melissa Capereton
I like what I've read from the other instructors. There are a number things I hadn't considered. For me though, it comes down to what the students really need. It is been my experience that the students need me to be nearly everything for them. They need me to help them understand assignments. They need me to help when there are challenges with other students. They need me to help them and encourage them when they're feeling discouraged.
If I put myself in a place where I am telling the student to go elsewhere for help, I am really failing them. I need to be willing to be everything I can to help them succeed and that requires wearing multiple hats or pairs of shoes.
Because there are four roles the online facilitator must fill. The first is that of Instructor. They must be able to TEACH! In this role they must also serve as consultant, guide, and resource provider. The second role is that of Social Director. They must provide a forum for students to interact and discuss strategies and solutions, as well as stimulate and encourage such interaction. The third role is that of Program Manager or administrator. They must attend to administrative duties such as designing content, establishing procedures and deadlines, etc. And of course there are outcomes to be evaluated and grades to assign. Finally they must be a Technical Assistant. It is essential that they be proficient with the latest computer technology and are able to assist students who may not be as astute in this area. Overall the online facilitator must provide an environment where students are able to achieve their desired outcomes with minimal stress and frustration.
Working with students virtually adds additional challenges. A wise instructor will remember and use the four pairs of shoes to facilitate their students through the online course. Knowing when your main role is the instructor, social director, program manager, or technical assistant is key. Some students require more guidance - clarifying assignments while others will struggle with the technology. The four pairs of shoes help the instructor focus on the student's needs and achieve the learning outcomes.
