Weekly outline

◄Week 1 - First facilitator's hat: Support online learning
►Week 2 - Third facilitator's hat: Manage and administer

  • Week 2 - Second facilitator's hat: Nurture social relations




    • On completion you will be able to nurture a safe, friendly and familiar online learning environment including:

      • Creating an ‘online presence’ for facilitation
      • Providing every learner with an ‘online voice’
      • Conflict management techniques (Non-Violent Communication)

    • Activity 1: Create an online presence

    • When studying online many participants feel isolated, alone and that technology does not care for their needs. Hence, it is critical that they perceive a real person is driving the course. Right from the start, participants need to know you are there despite the 'shroud' of technology. Here are some strategies to ensure you are noticed!

    • page icon
      Page
      Ghirardini, B. (2011). Facilitator's online presence Page
      View
    • url icon
      URL
      Huckett, P. (2013). Establish an online presence - Video URL
      View


    • Activity 2: Use Moodle communication tools

    • Moodle also provides a number of communication tools you can use to engage with both the online 'class' and as required individuals. Consider the video below that demonstrates the use of these tools.

    • page icon
      Page
      COL. (2020). Using Moodle's messaging facilities Page
      View
       
       

      Sending Messages to Participants : Alupe University

    • url icon
      URL
      Moodle. (2020). Messaging URL
      View


    • Activity 3: Use social media

    • A good tactic is to set up a social media course group. Groups can run parallel to the Moodle platform. They are more immediate than Moodle as most people consult their social media services regularly whereas Moodle is used only when it is time to study. Consider these options:

    • page icon
      Page
      Potter, J. (2019). How to create a Facebook group Page
      View
    • url icon
      URL
      WhatsApp. (2020). How to create a WhatsApp group URL
      View


    • Activity 4: What to communicate

    • When you are in regular contact, consider the communication style suggested in the reading below.

    • resource icon
      File
      ETLO. (2012). Ten tips for effective online facilitation File
      83.6 KB
      View


    • Activity 5: Conflict resolution

    • The internet can be quite toxic at times. Many people engage with others online irresponsibly because they feel their remoteness protects them. As a facilitator you need to be ready to resolve conflict when it arises in your learning community. Spend some time reading the article below and watching the video on non-violent communication and the five chairs, a powerful and systematic method which helps us master our own behaviours and manage the behaviours of others.

    • page icon
      Page
      Rosenburg, N. (1995). Non-violent communication Page
      View
    • page icon
      Page
      The Five Chairs Page
      View


    • Consider this scenario: 

      After a meeting lasting most of the morning, you return to the discussion forum. In the rough and tumble of a lively debate, one participant has posted a message that offends many of your deeply held religious beliefs. You also think that the message is likely to cause deep offence to many other participants. 

      Using NVC methodology as described in the article above write a post in the forum below addressed to the offending participant. 

    • forum icon
      Forum
      Conflict resolution discussion Forum
      View Make forum posts: 1


    • Additional Resource

    • resource icon
      File
      Ghirardini, B. (2011). E-learning methodologies File
      2.9 MB
◄Week 1 - First facilitator's hat: Support online learning
►Week 2 - Third facilitator's hat: Manage and administer