The document discusses strategies for supporting online instructors and facilitators, highlighting the need for competency in various areas including content knowledge, instructional design, and technology skills. It addresses challenges such as managing student engagement in asynchronous discussions and the necessity for different types of support for facilitators, such as peer and administrative assistance. The presentation references multiple resources for further exploration of these topics within online learning contexts.

1. Supporting Instructors & Tutors During Online Delivery SLOAN C ALN Conference 29 October 2009

2. Willy Fahlman [email_address] Daph Crane [email_address]

3. Presentation Goal During this interactive session we will discuss a variety of strategies and techniques for supporting those who teach or facilitate online learning.

4. Who do we mean when we refer to those who teach or facilitate online?

5. Why Do Online Facilitators Need Support?

6. Online Facilitator Competencies Content knowledge Instructional design Assessment/evaluation Presence Research Technology skills

7. Course Preparation Course objectives Course assessment strategies Content presentation Learning activities Learner engagement Course and a half syndrome

8. What To Do When.....

9. What To Do When..... students are required to participate in an asynchronous online forum focusing on an assigned topic 1 student centres her discussion on networking & other non-relevant topics other students are active in her 'side' discussions & not actively participating in the assigned topic you pose direct questions to stimulate discourse but the bulk of the discussion remains on these ‘side’ discussions.

10. Interactions Student-teacher Student-student Student-content Content-content Teacher-content Teacher-teacher Anderson, T. (2004). Toward a theory of online learning. In T. Anderson and F. Elloumi (Eds.), Theory and practice of online learning (pp. 33 – 60) . Athabasca: Athabasca University. (Available: http:// cde . athabascau .ca/online_book/ch2.html .)

11. Time Management Is the time commitment for online learning similar to traditional classes? How can facilitators keep their workload under control? Facilitator seldom in course Facilitator in course 24/7

12. Isolation

13. Social Networking Community of Practice using: Blogs Wikis Skype Chat/IM Twitter My Space / Facebook / ning Synchronous conferencing (ie Elluminate)

14. Technology Does an Online Facilitator need to be a technology wizard? What skill level is needed? What happens when something doesn't work? Have something in your back pocket.

15. Support Colleague support Administrative support Professional support

16. What Other Factors Impact The Need For Online Facilitator Support?

17. Questions?

18. References/Resources Anderson, T. (2004). Toward a theory of online learning. In T. Anderson and F. Elloumi (Eds.), Theory and practice of online learning (pp. 33 – 60) . Athabasca: Athabasca University. (Available: http:// cde . athabascau .ca/online_book/ch2.html .) Conference Board of Canada (2000). Employability Skills 2000+. Retrieved September 12, 2009 from http://www. conferenceboard .ca/Libraries/EDUC_PUBLIC/esp2000. sflb Conrad, R., Donaldson, J. (2004). Engaging the Online Learner . San Fransico: Jossey-Bass.

19. References/Resources Dorm,M. D. (2009, May). Cyber-instructor? Nursing Management, (40) 5, 34-37. Faculty Focus. www. facultyfocus .com Fouche, I. (2006, September). A multi-island situation without the ocean: Tutors’ perceptions about working in isolation from colleagues. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 7 (2), 1-12. Retrieved November 1, 2008 from http://www. irrodl .org/index. php / irrodl /article/ viewArticle /295/640

20. References/Resources Green, T., Alejandro, J., & Brown, A. H. (2009, June). The retention of experienced faculty in online distance education programs: Understanding factors that impact their involvement. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 10(3). Retrieved August 27, 2009 from http://www. irrodl .org/index. php / irrodl /article/view/683/1279 Hill, C. (2009, March 23). ReL Training and supporting onlin adjuncts. [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www. facultyfocus .com/articles/faculty-development/training-and-supporting-online-adjuncts- qa -with- kimberly -hardy/

21. References/Resources Kanuka, H., Jugdev, K., Heller, R., & West, D. (2008). The rise of the teleworker: false promises and responsive solutions. Higher Education, 56, 149-165. http:// auspace . athabascau .ca:8080/ dspace / bitstream /2149/1634/1/2008%20Higher%20Education. pdf http:// auspace . athabascau .ca:8080/ dspace / bitstream /2149/1634/1/2008 Higher Education. pdf Kelly, R. (2009, June 29) Re: Millennial faculty are you ready? [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www. facultyfocus .com/articles/academic-leadership/millennial-faculty-are-coming-are-you-ready/

22. References/Resources Kelly, R. (2009, August 25). Re: Promoting teaching excellence, what departments can do. [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www. facultyfocus .com/articles/faculty-development/promoting-teaching-excellence-what-departments-can-do/ Ng, C. F. (2006, September). Academics telecommuting in open and distance education universities: Issues, challenges, and opportunities. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 7 (2). Retrieved September 20, 2009 from http http://www. irrodl .org/index. php / irrodl /article/ viewArticle /300/632

23. References/Resources Orr, R., Williams, M., & Pennington, K. (2009). Institutional efforts to support faculty in online teaching. Innovation in Higher Education, 34, 257-268 doi: 10.1007/s10755-009-9111-6 Schank, R. (2002). Designing World-Class E-Learning. McGraw Hill New York. Services Canada . (2005). Essential Skills. Retrieved September 12, 2009 from http://www. rhdcc - hrsdc . gc .ca/eng/ workplaceskills /essential_skills/general/home. shtml

24. References/Resources Weimer. M. (2009, January 20). Re: False assumptions beginning teachers make [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www. facultyfocus .com/articles/faculty-development/false-assumptions-beginning-teachers-make/