Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:

1. Create effective discussion forums
2. Troubleshoot online discussions and re-direct them toward constructive dialogue

Overview

“But what will we call ourselves?”
Gilly Salmon, in her book E-moderating: The Key to Teaching and Learning Online, has gathered answers to this question for online instructors from all over the world. As you find your instructional role in the virtual classroom becoming more defined, try on a few of these titles:

• E-moderator
• Online negotiator
• Online host
• Personal learning trainer
• Convenor
• Online conductor
• Online concierge
• Online manager
• E-Police
• Online Chair
• Online leader
• E-teacher
• E-Master
• Faceless Facilitator
• Tele-coach or tele-tutor
• Online Gardener
• E-Ringmaster
• Online priest
• Agent Provocateur
• Devil’s advocate

As the developer of online courses you’ll need to learn to craft meaningful questions that will act as a catalyst for deeper learning. At the same time, acting as a probably-invisible guide from the side, you’ll need to learn to temper your desire to jump in and re-direct conversations which haven’t quite gotten to the point quickly enough.

Skillfully-crafted and guided discussions form the heart of an online course. To begin exploring the implications of this, go to the Readings section for this module.

Next: Readings