Presentation from netoworked learning 2008 on learners\' experiences with learner support in online environments

1. Learners' Experiences with Learner Support in Networked Learning Communities Benjamin Kehrwald Massey University

6. Learner support mechanisms (1): Facilitator Support ☺☺☺ ☺ Moderating discussions, including enforcing norms of behaviour X ☺ Facilitating connections between learners X, mixed ☺ Encouragement from Facilitator ☺☺☺ ☺☺☺ Feedback from facilitator ☺☺☺ ☺☺☺ Timely response from facilitator ☺☺☺ ☺☺☺ Facilitator Presence Expected? Valued? Mechanism

7. Learner support mechanisms (2): Peer Support X ☺☺☺ Motivation provided by collaborative activity X ☺☺☺ Benchmarking provided by peer interaction ☺ mixed ☺ Contributions from peers for general tasks ☺☺☺ ☺☺☺ Contributions from peers for explicitly collaborative tasks ☺ mixed ☺ Responses from peers ☺☺ ☺☺☺ Visible peer presence Expected? Valued? Mechanism

8. Learner Support Mechanisms (3) : Rules and processes X ☺☺ Orientation activities X ☺ Commitment to dynamic content within the course structure X ☺ Explicit identification of participant roles Mixed, variable ☺ Explicit promotion of interpersonal interaction (e.g. tasks and protocols which support interaction) ☺ ☺ Alignment between pedagogical commitments/values and intended outcomes ☺ , esp. by experienced learners ☺☺ Clear process indicated within the course design Expected? Valued? Mechanism

9. Learner Support Mechanisms (4) : Facilitating Structures From teacher ?? Accountability mechanisms ☺ , mixed ☺☺☺ Flexibility ☺☺☺ ☺☺☺ Clear content selection and structure mixed ☺☺ Explicit community development ☺ , mixed ☺☺☺ Rationale for group structuring (re: groups size, composition, roles, activity) ☺ ☺☺☺ Explicit group structuring Expected? Valued? Mechanism