3 Initial Thoughts
- Fostering and evaluating meaningful participant engagement can be difficult
- Virtual facilitation enables expanded use of online tools, apps, and software to enhance the learning experience
- Sometimes facilitators try to integrate too much new technology and it becomes more about trying to proficient with a tool rather than learning and delving into the actual content
2 Questions
- What does the facilitator take away from the experience?
- How do you integrate exciting new tools and technology without overwhelming some or all of the audience?
1 Metaphor or Simile
Digital facilitation is like a Ferris wheel. The use and discussion of digital facilitation, as a whole, constantly has its ups and downs. Sometimes we are making great progress, only to be followed by a new challenge that leaves us second guessing about the intentions of us and the technology. Each digital facilitation experience is like a separate capsule on the Ferris wheel. Sometimes it is an enjoyable ride: steady with a beautiful view. Sometimes it is empty with lack of participation. Sometimes there are too many people rocking the ride and you leave feeling overwhelmed.
Hi Jolee,
I appreciate your comment about evaluating engagement being difficult. Some learners spend more time observing and less time contributing. My thoughts are that an observer can be effectively engaging with content but not be as “seen” so like you say, difficult to evaluate. Emma mentioned this in her blog post as well and asked the question, does observing = participating? What are your thoughts on that?
I love your ferris wheel simile!
Melissa
Hi Melissa, thanks for your comment. I think that I often fall into the “observer” bucket myself, participating only as required. I am reading and reflecting on the course of the discussion but may need time to organize my thoughts. By the time I’m ready to post, I’ve missed my opportunity and the discussion has already moved on. I think that part of evaluating participation or learning is having multiple methods of assessment. For example, providing students with the option to participate in live discussion or post their thoughts afterwards. I think that the definition of “participation” also boils down to what the instructor is expecting from students demonstrating their learning. Are we looking for lively discussion in the classroom for community-building? Are we asking students to reflect on their material and share their individual learning? How important is digital presence in meeting the specific goal?
Hi Jolee,
I too find myself often in the observer role and find it challenging to jump into discussions online. I have not felt as challenged in developing relationships and having meaningful discussions in face-to-face learning as I do online. I think this confirms that our individual characteristics really do affect how we interact in different learning environments.
I like that you mention having multiple methods for assessing participation and believe multiple methods of engagement should be available for those who do not thrive in online social learning spaces.
I appreciate your questions. I agree in making sure that the ask for participation is intentional, meaningful, and made clear to the learners.
Do you find participating in face-to-face learning different or the same for you?
Melissa
Hi Melissa,
I absolutely find the face to face and online experiences different for me. Firstly, in a face to face environment, you are typically bounded within a physical space and you will notice that the room can feel different depending if the facilitator keeps the door open or closed, among many other factors. Secondly, raising your hand can be intimidating but much more effective in person than online where other people’s comments can quickly push yours to the bottom.
However, I find the discussions in online experiences can be so much deeper due to two main factors: people can take a moment to reflect before responding (less awkward silence effect), and we are able to pull in resources from many different sources to compare, refer, and discuss.
I think that we are making progress into blending these two environments at work now that we have online meetings (Teams or Zoom). The ability to share screens, links, and documents really helps make meetings more effective and collaborative whether it is in-person or online. I think we just need to figure out how we can give students and instructors the ability to share screens and digital resources in the classroom settings effectively. This can help transform the typical lecturer to student one-way communication.