The role of a virtual moderator or facilitator in virtual classrooms

1. THE ROLE OF MODERATOR IN
VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS

2. Virtual Moderator
Target audiences have radically changed
•Dispersed in a broader market
•Time constrained
•Tech savvy
•Computer games, email, the Internet, cell phones,
instant messaging, and webcams are integral to
their lives*
Teaching methodology and content had to adapt
*Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, Marc Prensky

3. Virtual Moderator
Virtual college courses will soon rival traditional
face-to-face offerings*
Schools Offering: Also Offer Virtual
Graduate Courses 65%
Undergraduate Courses 63%
Master Degree Programs 44%
Business Degree Programs 44%
*Sloan Consortium Survey

4. Virtual Moderator
Main challenges with virtual classrooms
•Awareness of the platform
•Preparing professors to deliver effectively in
the virtual environment
•Low levels of interaction from students

5. Virtual Moderator
To engage students in virtual classrooms:
Professors must be able to successfully navigate
virtual communication tools without distraction
Real-time chat Video
& polling conferencing Shared whiteboards
Real-time Shared desktops
collaboration
Presenter control Audio control
& VoIP

6. Virtual Moderator
Virtual Moderator allows professor to engage
students and focus on content. Tasks include:
•Prepare instructor for virtual environment
•Manage entry processes and online community
•Virtual classroom introductions, icebreaking, and protocol
•Manage technology aspects
•Foster and support discussion and dialog
•Summarize, harvest, and weave appropriate content connections
•Support relationship and trust building among learners
•Work with full understanding of diversity in learning style, culture and
personal styles
•Distribute and collect assignments

7. Virtual Moderator
Results of Virtual Moderator
Leveraged limited Increased enrollment Facilitated internal and
teaching resources and student external collaboration
satisfaction
Increased productivity Improved sense of Motivated students
for faculty and staff community with and increased ability to
learners structure their time
Improved completion Improving attention to Limited investment
rates and students with differing
understanding learning styles

8. Virtual Moderator
ROI Case Study: Boeing
Adopting the Virtual Classroom, Dr. Kim Armstrong, The Boeing Company, California State University
• Boeing developed a virtual program for future chief engineers which was multi-
phased and included simulation, team learning, small group discussion, and
leaders teaching leaders.
• For parts of the program, WebEx and telecon, a virtual moderator, and virtual
instructor were used.
• Besides cost savings, they found it was an opportunity to bring together a large
number of geographically and organizationally diverse students, lengthening the
benefit of the learning as they shared experiences.
• When Boeing completed an ROI study on the program, the virtual element added
to the impact on knowledge transfer, and ultimate ROI was greater than 540%
• “One of the key lessons learned when using a virtual classroom is employing a
skilled virtual facilitator for each session, in addition to the instructor.”

9. Virtual Moderator
Get Ready for Virtual Learning
 Do you have a virtual platform like WebEx to meet your needs?
 Are the virtual classroom courses relevant to the learner’s goals?
 Was content repurposed or created specifically with the virtual
environment in mind?
 Are instructors ready to be trained in virtual classroom delivery?
 Is a moderator available and skilled to support instructors or SMEs
with proper facilitation techniques?
 Have you identified who will provide technical support to users?
 Has ample time been allowed for students to test platform access?
If you have questions on getting started,
call 203-417-5701