Role of Online Facilitator Online learning has created a paradigm shift in how educators teach. The shift is moving away from the teacher-centered model, which emphasizes the role of the teacher as the holder of knowledge. The teacher is changing to a facilitator; whose role can be described as managing learners in the online environment (Ruiz, Mintzer, & Leipzig, 2006). Some examples of the new focus are to organize activities that engage students directly rather than relying on lectures and to manage communications through online moderation (Dunlap, Sobel, & Sands, 2007). In a study of 65 online faculties in a midwestern university, Ali, Hodson-Carlton, Ryan, Flowers, Rose, & Wayda (2004) studied the priorities of areas that needed to be …show more content…
Online teachers must have more than technical knowledge, they need to learn effective ways of engaging, guiding and motivating learners (Dykman & Davis, 2008). Proper online facilitation should provide a safe environment for learning and communication for all students. It should not be presumed that teachers automatically have good facilitating techniques. Many will require ongoing professional development and mentoring to learn these needed skills (Appana, …show more content…
Students are able to see and hear the teacher and will form perceptions about the teacher’s organization, teaching style and personality. In the online learning environment, the students and teacher both use the online classroom, but usually at different times. From the student perspective, if the online teacher has been absent for long periods of time, the student may perceive that the teacher is not concerned about teaching and learning. This can lead to a student feeling alone, which McInnerney and Roberts (2004) noted that participant attrition rates are often negative due in large part to the feeling of
Online learning: the wave of the future? Many say yes as students from kindergarten to the graduate level continue to participate in communication via the Internet. They range from small projects to entire online courses and degree programs. In the college classroom, the Internet has taken on a sort of “replacement” role to the traditional classroom set up, while in the secondary classroom, teachers are finding ways to incorporate the Internet, namely listservs and discussion groups to supplement the time spent in the actual classroom. This insurgence of technology helps students to become familiar with the Internet and software programs, it gives the shy student a chance to shine where he/she may not normally have a chance, and it has allowed for more student-generated discussion.
In the early stages of current distance education, communication pertaining to class work was delivered to a video, audio recording or a CD-ROM (Hull, 2009). The internet expanded the development and use of distance education (Hull, 2009). Online discussions have developed into an important aspect of online education (Meyer, 2010). Online discussions, blogs, and bulletin boards make it easier for teachers and students to share and debate about topics and chastise other students’ posts (Meyer, 2010). Discussions posts allow teachers and other students to analyze other student’s writing as well as their personal and professional lives based on what they post online (Meyer, 2010). Online communication allows students to post as frequently as they would like (Meyer, 2010). Blog communications has expanded in use (Meyer, 2010). In May 2007, there were 83.1 million blogs and by January 2009, the number of blogs had grown to 133 million (Meyer, 2010).
Teachers can use on-line resources for instruction, as a platform to connect with their students and other professionals and to self reflect and monitor the effectiveness
Caruso, C. (2008). Bringing Online Learning to Life. Educational Leadership, 65(8) 70. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Given the rapid changes in work practices, such as the use of technology and the increased availability and volume of information it is absolutely necessary for teachers to be computer literate (Phillips, 2008). Teachers must partake in professional development that fosters growth and maintains a continuous level of improvement. Professional development that promotes growth in online technology should encompass a variety of effective instructional strategies. Online professional development should be designed to explicitly link to classroom lessons. Participating in professional development that is specifically aligned with material the teacher is teaching is a powerful aspect of coherence (Desimone & Garret, 2015).
Friedman, Hershey H., and Linda Weiser Friedman. "Crises in Education: Online Learning as a Solution." Creative Education 2.3 (2011): 156-63. ProQuest Research Library. Web. 25 Apr. 2012.
Not all students can adapt to virtual learning, as students have to be good readers and the online program may lack the auditory support found in traditional classes. They also must be self-motivated and organized so as to keep track of their work and assignment due dates. Students wishing to take classes that require direct instruction and use of materials not available at home, such as science classes requiring lab work or cooking classes, may have to enroll in classes elsewhere. There has also been some concern “that students who are enrolled full-time in online public schools may suffer from a lack of opportunities for socialization, and consequently may fail to develop important social skills” (Sivin-Kachala & Bialo, 2009, p. 2). There are both pros and cons to virtual learning.
Smith, Steven Bradford, Sean Joseph Smith, and Randall Boone. "Increasing access to teacher preparation: The effectiveness of traditional instructional methods in an online learning environment." Journal of Special Education Technology [Online] 15.2 (2000): 37-46. Web. 10 Jan. 2014
Furthermore, some may suggest that online learning is benefiting our students in society. There has been a breakthrough in time and geographical limitations of education via online courses (Ho, 2009). Online education is cost-effective, efficient, and easily accessible (Schmeeckle, 2003). Online classes are used for individual and independent learning in which the student can learn at their own pace (Gonzalez, 2009). Not only is online education beneficial for breaking down barriers, online education has the potential to help students learn material more efficiently. Students are more likely to seek help from their instructors when the material is taught online (Whipp & Lorentz, 2009). Computer use in statistical classes could help decrease math anxiety (Gundy, Morton, Liu, & Kline, 2006). In a study that measured online students’ ability to achieve the same efficiency of course material as face-to-face students, at least 98% of students reported that they had, so one may be lead to believe that online learning is just as efficient as face-to-face courses (Liebowitz, 2003). With all of the positive aspects of online education, one may wonder why there is any debate as to whether or not online education is beneficial for
Today’s generation is like no other. The nation as a whole has completely evolved from past times, with technology being one of the greatest improvements. Traditionally, schooling takes place in a classroom setting, but, with the many modifications in our world’s system, we are able to assimilate more modern means of education, such as online learning. However, with many changes comes differences and requires adjustments. The online learning system has proven to be just as effective as traditional learning, with some minor differences, however, nothing of great significance. A few of those insignificant differences include online learning being convenient, especially for the non-traditional students,
The distance learning environment creates a multitude of challenges that students or instructors do not have to deal with in a brick and mortar classroom. One controversial topic may be that people cannot express their emotions effectively online. Online environments are also complicated to have interactions and establish a presence. Is this really the case though? Is it challenging to show emotion online or have a presence; however, it is not impossible. These topics will be discussed in the following.
His final suggestion to teachers is to, “fully reconsider their students’ specific needs and redesign their online courses and learning activities to involve their students.help them benefit from the online learning environment.” Works Cited Chia-Wen, T. (2013).
There have been many critics that strongly advocate against the use of distance learning in elementary schools. With the increased availability and choice of new technology, comes many new concerns about the quality of instruction and the threat it may pose to the already established methods of teaching. Many believe that this new teaching method may replace the existing classroom all together, and won’t give students the adequate face-to-face contact they need. Most critics fear that “ineffective face-to-face teaching methods could be made even worse when they become technology based” (Truell, 2001, p46). The computer and internet have become dominant distance learning technologies, and hold the potential to take away from the human aspect of learning, so students do not learn the proper social skills they need to develop early on. Children need to learn to interact with one another, and function properly in a social setting, they learn this primarily within the classroom, and if these classroom settings are altered by distance learning, then they will no learn how to function in the normal social school setting. Many critics also say that all schools do not have the appropriate technological support and infrastructure to make distance learning programs effective for students. Since all schools do not have the tools and financial means needed to establish and support effective distance learning programs, they would not be able to keep up with the advancing technology in education, and therefore their students would not receive the same advantages as other students in the schools around them (Ravaglia & Sommer, 2000). Greenwood (1998) states that schools using distance learning are just contracting out their educational responsibilities and that such courses result in the elimination of teaching jobs. He feels that by using distance learning to teach students, they are minimizing the teacher’s job of actually teaching the students and designing lesson plans, and therefore slowly eliminating the need for teachers in the classroom at all. It is thought that there is more emphasis being placed on teaching than learning, and as a consequence schools are using distance education as merely a means to extend the classroom walls . While the critics of distance learning feel that this is just a way for schools to educate students, and relieve themselves of their responsibilities, there has been even more substantial evidence that these programs improve the elementary curriculum, rather than replace it altogether.
"The Teacher's Role in Developing Interaction and Reflection in an Online Learning Community." (n.d.): n. pag. Taylor and Francis. Web. 28 Feb. 2014.
Students nowadays, are so focus on technology and how they can put their hands in technology. As a future teacher I believe that, the best way to capture my student’s attention is by providing them with tools that can motivate them to learn. With the use of technology, I may approach teaching differently by encouraging my students to use on-line resources. Using on-line resources, would be beneficial for the students, because they would be able to explore many on-line resources. The students would be encouraged to use the on-line materials, I as a teacher would encourage them to use. Such as Internet Workshops and WeQuests. As a future teacher I would want to use Internet workshops and WebQuests, because I would want to increase my student’s motivation to