Week 1: Overview

Facilitation

Facilitation techniques and strategies are an important aspect of supporting the success of learners in online courses. The following resources explore some aspects of facilitating learning in online environments.

Resources (FLO):

Online Facilitation

• Cougler Blom, Beth, Online Facilitation - Tips and Strategies (PDF)
• RRU - CTET. (2008, Fall). Facilitating Online Learning (PDF) Tools for Teaching (T4T) Tipsheet, 1(2), 1-2. Retrieved from http://ctet.royalroads.ca/sites/default/files/pages/online_facilitation-t4t_2014.pdf  Note: Still a useful guide for online facilitators!
• Vaughan, Norman et al (2013) Chapter 3:  FACILITATION, Teaching in Blended Learning Environments: Creating and Sustaining Communities of Inquiry, AU Press,  pp.45-62. Retrieved from "Free PDF" tabbed page found at http://www.aupress.ca/index.php/books/120229
• White, Nancy, Full Circle Associates, (updated article Mar 15, 2015) An Overview of Online Facilitation  Retrieved from http://www.fullcirc.com/resources/facilitation-resources/an-overview-of-online-facilitation/
• Vaughan, N.D., Cleveland-Innes, M., & D.R. Garrison, (2013) Chapter 3: Facilitation, Teaching in Blended Learning Environments: Creating and Sustaining Communities of Inquiry, pp45-61, retrieved from http://www.aupress.ca/books/120229/ebook/03_Vaughan_et_al_2013-Teaching_in_Blended_Learning_Environments.pdf (PDF, Chapter 3 only)
  Note: If you don’t have much time, review the ideas for online facilitation in Table 3.2. Facilitating cognitive presence face-to-face and online of the Vaughan, et al chapter.

Moderating Discussions

• University of Waterloo, Centre for Teaching Excellence, Online Discussions: Tips for Instructors (web page), Retrieved from https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/developing-assignments/blended-learning/online-discussions-tips-instructors

• COFAOnline, Learning to Teach Online, University of New South Wales, College of Fine Arts - 
  • Video (6:04)
    , (2011)

Communication

• Various instructors, Effective Communication in the Online Environment, (June 2014), Carleton University,
• Video (6:13)   Effective Communication Online