Effective Facilitators

1. Effective Facilitators
Rodney Davis
CUR 532
November 3, 2015

2. Introduction
Excellent Online Facilitation share some of the same characteristics of traditional
classroom environments. Despit not having the proximity of being able to
communicate and instruct in a specific location at a regular schedule time,
students are able to benefit from online facilitation as much as they can or would
from a traditional classroom environment. In this presentation two of the most
important characteristics of online facilitation are discussed. Classroom
management has is highlighted in this presentation as a fundamental principle that
translates to any learning environment. As with class management, good
communication is essential to an effective learning climate but is a necessity in
online facilitation.

3. Important Skills for Distant Learner Facilitators
Classroom Management
In order to maintain an effective learning climate rather it is as a distant learning
classroom environment or in a traditional classroom setting facilitators/instructors
must be able to possess effective classroom management skills
Communication
Communication is a necessity when it comes to distant learning. Effective distant
learning facilitators possess excellent communication skills.

4. Classroom Management
Establishing presence is one the most critical component of effective online
facilitation. “Establishing presence is the process of demonstrating to others who
we are in the online environment, as well as making social connections with others
who share that environment with us”(Palloff and Pratt, 2011). Presence can come
in many forms. Instructors are able to establish presence through the discussion
forums, private messages, technology, individualized assignments, and chat
rooms. Making students feel connected is a form of excellent classroom
management in online classrooms

5. Classroom Management
Classroom Management is one of the most important characteristics of effective distant facilitators. “One
of the goals of training for online teaching should be to model the types of teaching techniques that a
faculty might use in their own classes. Active, collaborative means of training faculty will help promote the
development of a faculty learning community that can continue to serve as a support as faculty begin to
teach online”(Palloff and Platt, 2011)”.
Effective Classroom Management includes:
Clear and well defined learning goals and expectations
Providing students with due dates and deadlines up front
Providing feedback in reasonable amount of time
Responding to questions, concerns, and problems in an effective manner
Allowing students to be in control of their learning.

6. Developmental Phases(Classroom Management)
Novice- New to the online format, uses generic syllabi, does not show experience
in organization skills or provide little or no room for growth.
Apprentice- Gained some experience with classroom management. Provides
some structure but does not fully show experience with classroom management in
the online platform
Insider- Skilled instructor through experience and training, shows sign of an
effective online climate
Master- Highly skilled instructor which allows students to become fully engage
and take ownership of their learning experience.

7. Communication
Communication is one of the most effective tools in online classroom. Effective
facilitators are able to communicate with students in a timely fashion; providing
feedback, assistance, and encourage when necessary. “Online shares certain
fundamentals with the face to face educational environment. however the
attributes of anytime, anyplace communication makes group interaction and
collaboration in online media distinctive”(Harasim, 1996). Effective online
communication is a skilled that has to be learned and experience produce good
results. “Excellent online instructors rarely emerge “out of the box” but develop
their skills over time”(Palloff and Platt, 2011).

8. Developmental Phases(Communication)
Novice- Fairly new or inexperienced with the online classroom, use little or none
of the technology or tools to communicate effectively with students.
Apprentice- Some previous experience but not high trained in communicating
effectively in the online teaching format.
Insider- Skilled instructor: mainly from experience with communicating effectively
in the online format. Use a variety of strategies and resources to communicate
effectively with the students.
Master- Proficient in all areas of communicating in an online platform. Uses
innovative ideas and strategies with students.

9. Reference
Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2011). The excellent online instructor: Strategies for
Professional Development. John Wiley & Sons. Inc.
Harasim, L. (1996). Online education. Computer networking and scholarly
communication in the twenty-first-century university, 203-214.