3-2-1 blog post – Digital Facilitation

To be honest, the very first thought I had when I saw the name of the course was, “I hope I’m not going to have to facilitate an online course!”  Public speaking, whether in person or online, always brings up the same wave of anxiety. Having now completed our first week’s readings, more rational thoughts came to mind.

3 initial thoughts, ideas or feelings about facilitation in digital environments

1. Learning theories haven’t changed. What has shifted over time are learning environments.  Leveraging the science behind learning can help digital facilitators to find strategies that engage, motivate and encourage learning.  
2. With little experience leading or teaching in digital environments, it seems that technology adds complexity to ‘teaching presence’. But perhaps it’s an opening to creating innovative approaches to engage, motivate, and create connections with online learners.
3. The online environment challenges my comfort zone. I prefer in-person learning, where facial expressions and eye contact provide cues for connection. In online environments, it can feel harder to create genuine connections when cameras are off or participation is minimal.

2 questions I have about digital facilitation

1. What are the biggest challenges that facilitators face in digital learning environments that they wouldn’t face in a traditional, in person classroom?
2. What strategies work well to encourage and motivate adult learners to engage in discussions and activities during synchronous sessions?

1 metaphor or simile about digital facilitation

At this point in time, the metaphor that best captures how I feel about digital facilitation is the duck: calm and steady on the surface, while paddling furiously underneath to keep up with the rapid pace of learning and change!