The document summarizes the experiences and lessons learned from facilitating an open online course. It describes providing intense support for students in the first few weeks, encouraging peer support and smaller learning communities, acting as a facilitator rather than teacher by giving up control and being flexible. It also discusses the challenges of managing student activities, feedback, resources, and chaos in an open online environment.

1. Sarah Stewart Shar-e-fest 2010 [email_address] Confessions of an online facilitator Ihttp://www.flickr.com/photos/35914311@N03/3418857871

3. 'Facilitating Online': http://wikieducator.org/Facilitating_Online

4. Blog

5. Twitter

6. Google Group

7. Experiential http://www.flickr.com/photos/42961457@N04/4114564467

9. Cater to every level of digital skills http://www.flickr.com/photos/92518741@N00/1507196484

10. Intense support & mentoring for first few weeks http://www.flickr.com/photos/82625518@N00/5228173

11. Provide safe environment for people to learn, 'play', make mistakes & ask for help http://www.flickr.com/photos/20878641@N00/272080926

12. Encourage smaller learning communities within the larger group http://www.flickr.com/photos/21404006@N00/105320746

13. Encourage peer support & mentoring http://www.flickr.com/photos/22177648@N06

14. Match-maker http://www.flickr.com/photos/29125594@N03/3046591191

15. Move from teacher to facilitator http://www.flickr.com/photos/42388882@N00/490031693

16. Give up control http://www.flickr.com/photos/24939177@N00/223776150

17. Flexibility http://www.flickr.com/photos/28481088@N00/3287884496

18. Try not to bombard people with technology http://www.flickr.com/photos/75478059@N00/3563974210

19. Instructions for EVERYTHING http://www.flickr.com/photos/26405526@N00/2373139743

20. Time management http://www.flickr.com/photos/96447062@N00/129881298

21. Managing chaos http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124348109@N01/2487910168

22. Track students' activities: RSS, Google Reader, iGoogle http://www.flickr.com/photos/38565056@N00/398422382

23. Pass on resources: Twitter, Delicious http://www.flickr.com/photos/90891815@N00/75288251

24. Give feedback & facilitate conversations: Blog, Synchronous meetings, Twitter http://www.flickr.com/photos/55544800@N00/324894615

25. Generate open education resources: Wiki, YouTube, Blip.TV, Slideshare http://www.flickr.com/photos/34782207@N03/4539316616

26. Change of focus from formal learning objects to life-long learning as driven by students http://www.flickr.com/photos/73645804@N00/1431384410

27. Students make their own meaning http://www.flickr.com/photos/73645804@N00/3597217248

28. Facilitating a collaborative, networked experience which is key to life-long learning in the online environment

29. Sarah Stewart [email_address] Twitter: @SarahStewart Blog: http://sarah-stewart.blogspot.com Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/sarahs