Guidelines for facilitating online courses.

1. Raise the Curtain
considerations for facilitating online courses
by natalie giesbrecht
2009

2. Think of the online classroom as a stage

3. In a traditional face-to-face classroom the
instructor performs as the lead actor

4. They carry the show even though
other characters may
interact

5. In the online
classroom the
instructor
becomes the
Director

6. . . . ensuring that the
characters play their part
and the production
moves along
smoothly…

7. …from start…

8. …to finish

9. The director adds his or her expertise
only when the actors need assistance

10. In the online classroom the Director
(Instructor) leaves the content delivery to
the Script (Web Pages) and character
development to the Actors (Students)

11. DIRECTOR
(INSTRUCTOR)
ONLINE
INTERACTIONS
SCRIPT ACTORS
(WEBSITE) (STUDENTS)

12. Think of your role as the
guide on the side . . .
. . . not the
sage on the stage

13. A key role
an instructor plays
when teaching online
is the role of the
facilitator

14. But what does it mean to
facilitate ?

15. Considerations for the
Online Facilitator

16. ACT I
Have Stage Presence
… But Don’t Steal the Show

17. You don’t have
to be centre stage
but ensure you are visible to students

18. You need to consistently . . .

19. But you need to consistently . . .
• interact

20. But you need to consistently . . .
• interact
• engage

21. But you need to consistently . . .
• interact
• engage
• listen

22. But you need to consistently . . .
• interact
• engage
• listen
• encourage

23. But you need to consistently . . .
• interact
• engage
• listen
• encourage
• motivate

24. ACT II
Action: The Interplay
Between Performers

25. Set expectations by . . .

26. ... outlining what role you will play
and what role the students will play

27. Tell students
which conferences will always read

28. . . . where they can ask questions

29. . . . when to expect responses to questions

30. . . . when to expect assignment feedback

31. ACT III
Give Prompts

32. On the stage losing your lines
can be frustrating

33. In the online classroom
when learners can’t
find what they need
or are confused
about what to do
they may become
frustrated

34. ... learning
becomes
unnecessarily
difficult

35. Be consistent in your course structure
Make it easy for students to navigate
through materials

36. Be clear where
students should start

37. Identify
assignments they
need to complete
Outline
which content they
are responsible for

38. ACT IV
Keep the Show Running

39. When the discussion area
is full of crickets . . .

40. •Encourage all to participate

41. • Encourage all to participate
•Summarize messages

42. • Encourage all to participate
• Summarize messages
•Raise new questions

43. • Encourage all to participate
• Summarize messages
• Raise new questions
•Present another perspective

44. • Encourage all to participate
• Summarize messages
• Raise new questions
• Present another perspective
•Weave messages together to push
the discussion further

45. ACT V
Think Before you Act

46. Online messages
are presented without the rich
set of verbal or visual cues
provided in face-to-face exchange

47. Online , communication is primarily
dependent upon the written word

48. Establish and communicate
online etiquette
expectations

49. Arbitrate
or mediate any disputes

50. Hold students
accountable
to set expectations

51. Model
ideal behaviours

52. When in doubt ask for clarification

53. Ultimately, foster a safe, secure and
positive learning environment

54. Be yourself and . . .
have fun !

55. The End

56. Credits

57. References
Lynch, M. M. (2002). The online educator: A guide to creating the virtual
classroom. New York, NY: Routledge Falmer.
Ragan, L.C. (n.d.) Faculty focus: Ten principles of effective online
teaching: Best practices in distance education. Madison, WI: Magna
Publications, Inc.

58. Image Credits
Slide 1: Curtained. Image by Steve Calcott under Creative Commons
license http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevec77/2477181497/
Slide 2: Highland Theatre. Image by Lesley Middlemass:
www.flickr.com/missmass under Creative Commons license.
Slide 3: I’m Terrific I Am (From The Cradle with Rock, 2005-2006). Image
by Jeff Hitchcock under Creative Commons license
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arbron/197285212/
Slide 4: Godspell Production Photo 19. Image by neoplatonistking under
Creative Commons license
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neoplatonistking/3481622627/
Slide 5: © 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation, a Getty Images company.

59. Image Credits
Slide 6: Godspell Production Photo 15. Image by neoplatonistking under
Creative Commons license
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neoplatonistking/3482437006/
Slide 7: Godspell Production Photo 07. Image by neoplatonistking under
Creative Commons license
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neoplatonistking/3482439028/
Slide 8: Godspell Production Photo 513. Image by neoplatonistking
under Creative Commons license
http://www.flickr.com/photos/neoplatonistking/3443333857/
Slide 9: Twelfth Night Rehearsal Photos. Image by Shakespeare Theatre
Company under Creative Commons license
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shakespearetheatrecompany/3000576142/in
/pool-933621@N25

60. Image Credits
Slide 10: © 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation, a Getty Images company.
Slide 11: © 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation, a Getty Images company.
Slide 12: © 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation, a Getty Images company.
Slide 13: © 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation, a Getty Images company.
Slide 14: Vorhang auf. Image by Kersten A. Riechers under Creative
Commons license http://www.flickr.com/photos/daskerst/2256561258/
Slides 15-24: © 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation, a Getty Images
company.
Slide 25: Theatre Seating (Northeast State Community College Theatre).
Image by David Joyce under Creative Commons license
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deapeajay/2213310171/

61. Image Credits
Slides 26-37: © 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation, a Getty Images
The End
company.
Slide 38: Darkened Theatre (Loews Kings Theatre). Image by Mercurialn
under Creative Commons license
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mercurialn/405388578/
Slides 39-53: © 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation, a Getty Images
company.
Slide 54: Red Curtain. Image by Steve Calcott under Creative Commons
license http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevec77/2477181497/
Slide 55: Stage 28. Image by Kevin Dooley under Creative Commons
license, http://www.flickr.com/photos/pagedooley/2373862370/

62. Natalie Giesbrecht, 2009.
Completed to fulfill the requirements for ETEC*565, University of
British Columbia.