Topic 6

Research into the Facilitation of K-12 Online Learning

Do you agree that facilitators play an important role in online learning? Why or why not?

I agree that facilitators play an important role in online learning. Since the teacher is in a remote location, the facilitator is present while students are online. In a face-to-face course it is important to create a community environment. This is just as important in an online course, but is much more difficult to do. A facilitator is key in helping to build a connection and keep students from feeling isolated. They are there to support students, answer questions, troubleshoot technology problems, communicate with the teacher and parents, assign a participation grade, and make sure students do not cheat. In Claire de la Varre’s presentation entitled "Teaching Presence in a Blended Learning Environment: Contributions of On-Site Facilitators," she includes a list of expanded responsibilities of facilitators that are most important for students success in online learning. The expanded responsibilities of the facilitator are to create a positive environment, attend to individual differences, encourage students to interact with other students, encourage students to contact the teacher, support and motivate students, and model time management and organization skills. In her study, Claire de la Varre found that facilitators categorized as a “good” facilitator were ones who did not undermine the authority of the teacher, kept in touch with the teacher, responded quickly to teachers, and had built a relationship with students. Facilitators who showed a genuine concern for their students and kept them motivated had students who dropped out less often than facilitators that undermined the authority of the teacher and did not have a good relationship with students. Students in K-12 online learning are still learning the skills needed to be a successful online student, such as time management and organizational skills. It is imperative that students have a facilitator to support them.

Before reading about facilitators and hearing Claire de la Varre’s presentation, I did not know the role of the facilitator was so important. When I think of K-12 online learning, I envision a student sitting at home alone on a computer. After learning more about the facilitator, I realize how having a facilitator could mean the difference between a student being successful or not in online learning. Facilitators provide the human connection that students need to feel less isolated. They are their advocate and students feel they have someone on their side.

References

de la Varre, Claire (2011) Teaching Presence in a Blended Learning Environment: Contributions of On-site Facilitators. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WgjuzjWdtRU

Irvin, M. (2012). Research into the Facilitation of K-12 Online Learning. Retrieved from  http://virtualschoolmooc.wikispaces.com/facilitator