Responding to debating students, complaining students, and dominating students can be especially difficult for an online facilitator. Online environments are precarious because it's one-way communication without the critical visual cues, e.g., body languages. I found the discussion about different tones, voices, and critical thinking strategies to be a great resource for the future. The key is know when to use the different tools at a facilitator's fingertips. Online facilitators have a tough job.
I was struck by the roadblocks to effective moderation, and I was glad the authors of the text spent some time on the eight different roadblocks. I know that I am guilty of the question mill. I love to use inquiry-based strategies, but I know I go too far sometimes. Students may feel overwhelming and answer only one of my probing questions.
We (Merryn, Jeff, & I) are developing an activity where students pick a voice, tone, and critical-thinking strategy that they feel would best serve a particular scenario. I love problem-based learning--I hope it will be an effective exercise.
Posted by thomp245 at July 27, 2004 12:42 AM