Tips for Effective Online Tips for Effective Online FacilitationFacilitation

Presented byPresented by

Harry BelchHarry Belch

Create a Friendly, Approachable Create a Friendly, Approachable AtmosphereAtmosphere

Send an email to everyone before Send an email to everyone before course starts establishing a warm course starts establishing a warm environmentenvironment

Don’t use technical terms (unless Don’t use technical terms (unless you are teaching an advanced you are teaching an advanced technical course)technical course)

Be conversational when addressing Be conversational when addressing your participantsyour participants

Create a relaxed classroom feelingCreate a relaxed classroom feeling

Example 1: Portion of Email sent to participants

Welcome everyone to Using Technology to Support the Writing Process! Whether this is your first foray into Online Professional Development or you’re an ol’ pro at it, I hope you find this course informative, enjoyable, and stimulating. Please feel free to jump right into the discussions, because you’ll find that is the crux of the course.

Example 2: Portion of Email sent to participants

Another room in which you'll spend a lot of time is the "Discussion Board." To enter, just click the Discussion Board link. This is where you'll be able to conduct professional conversations with your colleagues. Think of it as your professional "coffee shop," or "pub" if you prefer!

Participate With the ClassParticipate With the Class

Model for them, but be one of themModel for them, but be one of them Show enthusiasm for points well madeShow enthusiasm for points well made Learn right along with themLearn right along with them Refer to specifics in the materials they Refer to specifics in the materials they

need to read and in their postsneed to read and in their posts Be the facilitator, not the “know it all.” Be the facilitator, not the “know it all.”

Allow others to be the “expert”Allow others to be the “expert” And of course, provide leading questions And of course, provide leading questions

when appropriatewhen appropriate

Example: Discussion Board Post and Reply

From Participant

I agree! I loved the things Mr. Nellen described, but couldn't implement all that right away. Nancy Patterson's projects seem more possible for me right now.

Mr. Nellen's editorials caught my eye. Something like that would fit beautifully with the 8th grade SOLs. I could see an editorial project done in the way Nancy Patterson described...with hyperlinks telling a little more about various things in the students' editorials.

From Facilitator (Me)

Indeed, even Nellen admits that he spends more time now than he used to when he wasn't using technology. It's also important to keep in mind that Nellen has been working on this for 20 some years.

But, realistically, what aspects of Nellen's approach could be used in your classroom this coming year?

Provide Personalized Feedback Provide Personalized Feedback

Encourage participants who fall behind to Encourage participants who fall behind to catch up and offer your assistancecatch up and offer your assistance

Be sympathetic to their concerns and offer Be sympathetic to their concerns and offer solutionssolutions

Let participants know that you are willing Let participants know that you are willing to go the extra mile to help them succeedto go the extra mile to help them succeed

Provide interim reports so they know their Provide interim reports so they know their status in the coursestatus in the course

Example 1: Interim Report

Hello (Name), I hope you’re enjoying our Using Technology to Support the Writing Process course!  At this point, each participant should have at least 2 posts per session and have completed the Participant Survey.  Below is what I have for you so far: 

Participant Survey:  Complete (Name), the quantity of your posts has only been exceeded by the quality of your posts!  Your insights and comments are always very thought provoking and helpful.  Keep up the wonderful work! Cheers,

SessionSession 11 22 33 CurrentCurrent TotalTotalPostsPosts 44 55 1313 00 2222

Example 2: Interim Report

Hello (Name), I hope you’re enjoying our Using Technology to Support the Writing Process course!  At this point, each participant should have at least 2 posts per session and have completed the Participant Survey.  Below is what I have for you so far: 

Participant Survey: Not Completed

(Name), I know you’ve been having some problems with your computer, so let me know if I can help.  Try to get caught up with your posts and take the Participant Survey this week, if possible.  If you need some time I certainly understand, just let me know.   Cheers,

SessionSession 11 22 33 CurrentCurrent TotalTotalPostsPosts 11 00 00 00 11

Maintain “Eye Contact” in the Maintain “Eye Contact” in the Online EnvironmentOnline Environment

Always address participants by nameAlways address participants by name Refer to specifics in their comments (current and Refer to specifics in their comments (current and

previous)previous) Mention details contained in assignments Mention details contained in assignments Respond quickly to emails even if you don’t have Respond quickly to emails even if you don’t have

an answer yetan answer yet If exciting personal information is exchanged If exciting personal information is exchanged

(favorite team, college attended, pending birth, (favorite team, college attended, pending birth, marriage, retirement, etc.), acknowledge it when marriage, retirement, etc.), acknowledge it when appropriate (“Congratulations on your pending appropriate (“Congratulations on your pending birth!”, “Your [team] looked real good Saturday!”)birth!”, “Your [team] looked real good Saturday!”)

Create Opportunities for SuccessCreate Opportunities for Success

Keep participants apprised of the Keep participants apprised of the objectives and outcomesobjectives and outcomes

Provide participants with guidelines Provide participants with guidelines to meet objectives and outcomesto meet objectives and outcomes

Give participants a “heads up” for Give participants a “heads up” for upcoming assignmentsupcoming assignments

Example: Announcement for Session 3 of 6

. . . In this session, we will read an article about an online mentoring project where a group of teachers developed an electronic writers' workshop that enabled young authors from different schools to work with professional writers and each other. We will also explore a selection of online writing tutorials designed to support student writing and revising.

As you delve into this session, start thinking about your final project. Your final project will be a lesson plan that incorporates something you learned during this course. You might consider Inspiration from Session 2 or one of the sites you will visit in this session.

Cheers,

In Closing, here is an exchange I had with a participant who I think summarizes very well successful online professional development from both the facilitator and participant view point:

Facilitator (Me)

Hi (Name), Your posts are very "real world" and I appreciate that.  You are able to capture what I imagine to be the thoughts of many teachers, whether they're competing with faulty computers or fire drills like you posted in Session 1, or dealing with keeping up with others such as your Blackboard post in Session 3 (not to mention bemoaning Redskins losses - we won last week!!!).  Thanks for "keeping it real" as the students might say! 

Participant’s Reply

Thanks for such a positive note... you are the only instructor that has emailed me your thoughts about my progress in the course.  As you have noticed, I take the on-line course very seriously.  Sometimes, I tend to ramble or repeat myself, but like to express my ideas and opinions.  I feel that some people don't take the time to respond appropriately on the on-line courses-- but my opinion is 'you get what you put into it.'  Thanks again,

In Summation, the Key to Successful In Summation, the Key to Successful Online Facilitation:Online Facilitation:

““You Get What You Put Into It”You Get What You Put Into It”

So be sure to:So be sure to:

Create a friendly, approachable atmosphereCreate a friendly, approachable atmosphere Participate with the classParticipate with the class Provide personalized feedbackProvide personalized feedback Maintain “eye contact” in the online environmentMaintain “eye contact” in the online environment Create Opportunities for SuccessCreate Opportunities for Success

If you, the facilitator, follow these tenets, your If you, the facilitator, follow these tenets, your participants are sure to follow.participants are sure to follow.