Reflection: End of Part 2-Blog

Taking in…

There was a lot to learn in a short space of time but all that was learn was necessary to grasp the role the responsibility of online teaching and learning and the role of the facilitator in the online course environment. The focus of the five weeks was on pedagogical role, social role in building community, managerial role in setting the stage and after the course starts, technical role of the online facilitator, and learning how to use Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML). Several learning outcomes were identified and to follow is a reflection of the learning over the five weeks in the online facilitation course.


Many pedagogical models was discussed in the fifth week of the course and an there was an opportunity to select a model that would be suitable for teaching based on personal preference, course learning objectives, and the learning environment. Opportunity was present to evaluate teaching strategies that would be compatible with instructional objectives and through the experience, my personal vision for my role as a facilitator was formed.


I believe that I would be more effective as a facilitator if I allow the students dominance in the online environment, because it is their opportunity to learn and grow and through interaction and collaboration with instructional support from the instructor, the opportunity for high level of satisfaction with online learning is attainable. I learned how to use HTML to format text and although it seemed easy, it was not an easy task, but a valued experience. HTML allows the instructor to create course materials with a more appealing presentation and clarity.


Online education requires the combined effort of a group of people, interacting, collaborating, and sharing information in an open environment. The more people see the value of online education, the more people will value the learning approach and the higher the level of satisfaction will be. The benefit people get from the online experience is dependent on how effective the relationship is and how willing people are to share with each other and how effective the facilitator is with encouraging and fostering high level of social interaction.


Getting people engage requires providing learning experiences from the start of the course that get people working together and interested in the course work. One way to start a course and get the group of learners interacting with each other is to provide icebreaker activity such as asking for an introduction, or to have students complete a scavenger hunt activity and report their findings in a discussion folder so that learning and sharing takes place together in a fun and friendly like environment.


As a facilitator, getting people in a course that is separated by geographic boundaries can be difficult but separation does not have to be present if the activities in the course room support interaction, critical thinking, and knowledge sharing. The facilitator can provide an assignment requiring group work, set period for completion, communicate timely reporting of grade, and provide constructive feedback that supports the growth and progression of learning. Having an open line of communication, checking the course folder daily, responding to concerns of learners, having a folder for questions and answers, and keeping current with the discussion folder, ensuring the equal contribution of learners and communicating concerns are effective strategies to promote a successful online learning experience.


Using the announcement folder and a brief overview of the course material each week can enhance the learning environment and create a focus for the week experience. Learning how to use HTML code to insert links and images in a web page was extremely difficult and even after numerous attempts, the activity seems cloudy in my mind. The challenge and learning will come with an actual assignment to develop a web page using HTML code to insert links and images.


Online facilitators have to ensure that online courses are developed and updated before the start of class and that is a complex role for instructors. The facilitator has to look at the entire course to determine what sections need modification and upgrade since information changes so rapidly ensuring that the course and course links are current and the course content and delivery method is current and appropriate is necessary. Specifying body attributes in HTML programs and aligning the text was complex but the challenge was well worth it because HTML helps to make the organization of course materials clear and it allows organization of content with an appealing presentation.


In the online environment, the facilitator has to ensure that communication is clear and appropriate, and definitely ongoing. Learning occurs through sharing and communication is important to learning. Communicating clearly, timely, constructively, respectfully, and positively is important to learning and sharing in the online environment and the facilitator role is to make sure communication barriers are removed to facilitate acceptable communication.


Setting the communication tone, monitoring communication, quickly providing feedback to correct unacceptable behavior in the online environment is an important role of the online facilitator. Using HTML codes to create ordered and unordered list was one of the least complex activities of the week. However, the challenge will come when a need arise to use the HTML codes in a course to create ordered or unordered list for the first time.


Once a class starts, the role of the facilitator is to ensure that communication is effective and efficient, that learners get the feedback they need to succeed and that learners are sharing information regarding assignments in an effective and efficient manner. The facilitator role is to direct or provide suggestions for optimal information sharing, providing active links for learning, and to address communication needs timely. Providing timely feedback, positive feedback, and checking the question and answer folder to communicate timely with learners is necessary.


At the start of the course, setting expectations for communication and being consistent with practice will support ongoing and timely communication in the course room. If for any reason, a link is not active or a learner addresses a problem with the course room and course folder, the facilitator should seek clarification and quickly make changes to get the course room on track.


Instructors/facilitators use technology to deliver course materials and understanding technology is necessary in order to use the technology effectively and efficiently to deliver course content, share information, and promote learning. The facilitator must know how to use the technology to instruct learners on how to use the technology. The role of the instructor is to keep up with technology through training and development and ongoing education. Using technical support and encouraging students to use technical support for any technical issues would help to enhance the use of technology in the online course room.


The learning experience over the past five weeks have be challenging and stimulating and taking the information learned in the course and applying it to the real practice environment such as during the facilitation experience is the practical approach to online teaching and learning development.

I am not finish. Stay tune, to my next update...