Teaching an Online course, online facilitation requires the lecturer presence. This presentations details the skills and roles required for effective online facilitation. Presentation prepared by: Barbara Khavugwi Makhaya and Peter Kiprotich Ngeno

2. Teaching an Online Course

3. A. The Four Vital Skills for
Online Course Instructors

4. Create a Social and Active Learning Community1
• You create a short welcome video (or audio) clip, no longer than two or
three minutes to post at the beginning of the online course or post a
welcome message in the forum (Announcement forum) at the course
Information section of your module.
• This welcomes the students to the class, tells the students about You,
both professionally and personally.
• This sets a positive tone—makes the instructor appear approachable.

5. Demonstrate Leadership2
You are more than a subject matter expert you are a learning leader, a champion of students’
learning. In the online learning space demonstrating leadership takes a variety of forms
including:
 Being a role model for communicating effectively
 Showing presence by posting messages on the course site about the class’s progress and
participation across the topics
 Giving feedback on participation [or non-participation] to individual students
 Clearly outlining expectations to the students in the topic discussion forums, following-up
with students that are not meeting expectations
 Posting strategies and tips for effective to the students in the topic forums as they progress

6. Communicate3
• Constantly provide feedback to the students. Your presence in the forums is vital in
communicating to the students across the topics.
• It’s helpful to learn to use other modes of communication—for instance how to use audio to give
feedback to students, or record a video or audio clip that outlines instructions about the topic
learning activities/ tasks

7. • Monitor Student Progress and Provide Feedback5
• Review the student assignment, journal and forum contribution and provide timely feedback.
This is known to reduce attrition rates in the online class.

8. Online Facilitation Activities

9. Before The Online Course Starts1
• Familiarize yourself with the course delivery structure and the site/platform
• Develop an online delivery plan/schedule (Indicate the due dates of
learning activities across the topics)
• Check that all resources, activities and links, are current and relevant to the
learning experience
• Update your contact information on the course information section of the
course
• Contact learners, welcome them to the course and provide clear log-in
instructions

10. At The Beginning Of The Online Course2
• Check that learners can log-in and provide support and troubleshoot as
needed
• Facilitate introductions and community-building activities at beginning of the
course e.g. have everyone introduce themselves in the forum in the course
information section of the site
• Set clear expectations and learning outcomes of the course while introducing
yourself as the course lecturer
• Emphasize the importance of interactions and that online communication is
key to building community and contributes to the course outcomes
• Encourage sharing of experiences

11. During The Online Course3
• Be a positive online role model
• Send some sort of meaningful weekly communication, but, don’t overwhelm learners
• Ideally respond to learner’s communication within a reasonable time frame to resolve any
difficulties/queries to ensure their learning is not interrupted
• Provide guidance and direction to learners when needed
• Encourage online communication between participants
• Relate to learner experiences and ask thought provoking questions
• Promote learner independence/responsibility and learner collaboration
• Provide technical and other learner support as required
• Online learning can be isolated and lonely so provide positive encouragement and feedback
• Monitor learner progress, participation in activities and completion of assessment tasks and follow
up as required
• Provide informative developmental feedback

12. After The Online Course Finishes (Just before the exams)4
• Wrap-up the course, thank learners for their participation
• Review learner feedback and make recommendations for improvement
• Engage in your own self-reflection for improvement and consolidation

13. The End