When evaluating the various elements related to successful online facilitation through various online resources (Boettcher, 2013; Bull, 2013 & Salmon, 2018), I felt myself being drawn to the elements related to communication and human interaction over anything else.
To narrow down the top five facilitation tips that resonated most with me, I started with what I deemed as the most important tip, which is:
- To be present and constantly check in and be accessible. This creates a strong understanding of the expectations and comfort level between learners and their facilitator.
The narrative of the infographic continues on in sequence from that point to cover the remaining key points that include:
- Creating an environment where learners can connect and learn from each other. This allows the expertise of others to be incorporated in the learning environment.
- Curate content, that way the overwhelming information available is presented in a way that is digestible and clear for learner consumption.
- Communicate clearly so that although there is not a physical way to draw a consensus on clarity, there is still an opportunity for learners to understand exactly what they need to do.
The final tip and “must have” in my opinion is to just be human!
I think that the real difference in facilitation between face-to-face and online course delivery is that ability to have real human interaction. Great facilitators can work beyond the physical presence and incorporate elements like strong communication, personalized attention, and clear expectation delivery to set the tone for a positive experience (Bull, 2013). In my own experience, the course instructors who made a conscious effort to stimulate conversation, set clear expectations and connect on a human level, made the overall learning experience far more enjoyable and effective. If you think about all of the dialogue that can happen over a 1-hour lecture or classroom session, there are many opportunities to ask questions, probe further, and also develop a relationship with your fellow classmates and instructor.
That’s why on an ongoing sense of community and conversation is something I find extremely important in online facilitation. The more involved and present a facilitator is, the better they can influence and stimulate ongoing dialogue amongst the learners. Especially in continuing adult education where many learners come equipped with a plethora of industry knowledge, so much of the learning can be done through collaborative working environments and group discussions.
Disclosure: Apologies for the watermark on the Infographic PDF (I did not sign up for a paying subscription)
Link to Infographic: Assignment 1_PDF
References
Boettcher, J. V. (2013). Ten Best Practices for Teaching Online.
Bull, B. (2013). Eight Roles of an Effective Online Teacher. Faculty Focus.
Salmon, G. (2018). The five-stage model. Online resource.