Reflections Week 5

Tara and I have worked collaboratively to reflect and write brief notes on the following questions...

• What is online facilitation?

Providing and facilitating a learning community using Web 2.0 tools.

• What skills do you need as an online facilitator?

Knowledge of the Web 2.0 tools
Skills in engaging participants
People skills and strategies for encouraging all participants to become involved
Content knowledge and the skills to deliver it effectively
Enthusiasm
Supporting all ideas
Having the ability to "gently guide"

• How does a facilitator build an online community or network?

Deciding on purpose! What tools will suit your purpose best? Inviting people to join. Encouraging discussions using a variety of web 2.0 tools...
Wanting to share your knowledge, skills.....
Enthusiasm for your topic

• What are the key things to remember when facilitating an event, meeting or education course, especially when working with people who are new to online technology?

Providing "how to" guides/notes beforehand - using pictures/words etc
Having practice runs with participants who aren't so confident
Knowing and sharing the fact that technology does go wrong!
Patience...
Allow time for everyone's voice
Allow time at the beginning to sort out "techy issues"
Time at the beginning for participants to introduce themselves, give them previous "warning" about this so they can be prepared.

• What is the difference between teaching and facilitation?

Facilitation you are guiding people to work through it themselves - providing challenges and motivating, encouraging goal setting.... teaching to us, means teaching a direct skill. eg learning to knit! Tara is teaching Mackenzie how to knit, Tara couldn't facilitate this without sitting with her and guiding her..

• What is netiquette?

Good etiquette online. Being a safe and responsible cybercitizen. Showing respect and understanding. To me it is all about being "a good person" - you shouldn't behave any differently than you do in the "real world!" Not being face to face shouldn't make any difference. Always remembering that what you post can exist forever!

Why an Online Facilitation Course?

Why an online facilitation adventure....  Firstly, I am looking forward to gaining skills and knowledge in setting up and sustaining an online learning community.  Secondly, I am looking forward to exploring  Web 2.0 conferencing tools for engaging online participants and keeping up to date with current issues and trends pertaining to online facilitation.  Also, I am looking forward to collaborating and networking with others who are undertaking this online facilitation course and learning from, with and alongside them.  Let the adventure begin!

Back to the Blogosphere

It's time to start blogging again..... It has been over a year now since I finished my teaching position at Manaia Kindergarten where blogging was an amazing tool at building relationships with our whanau, local schools and wider community. In my current role as an Early Years Facilitator for CORE Education it is exciting to be part of a team encouraging the use of Web 2.0 tools in education. Online Facilitation is becoming a more known tool for delivering quality professional learning and I look forward to learning more:-) I look forward to utilising this blog to share my thoughts, ideas, wonderings, challenges and successes as we continue our path into the 21st century. Joining this online facilitation workshop will provide me with continued professional and personal learning in my role as an Early Years Facilitator.