Facilitator Training Program

Shawn McFadden

September 18, 2016

CUR/532

Garth Beerman

Welcome

Cox Communications is one of the leading companies for cable services. The company offers many varieties of service and strives of outstanding customer service. Cox is starting a pilot online training program so that the level of training the company’s employees is consistent across the board. Before you can move forward with this you must be trained in a Asynchronous 3 day training session. During this time the you will be going over materials, test formats, and having discussing threads developed on a SharePoint site. The main training material you will be able to access via Cox university site for which when you log you will be able to take all the subjects assigned.

you will be involved in this three day training program whereas perfect attendance will be mandatory. You must pass the program. The following sections go over the audience being the trainers, objectives, program goals and the assessment.

Effective Facilitators

There are claims that one of the most neglected areas of online learning are the skill sets of online instructors like face to face classroom instructors an online instructors must have strong knowledge of the content and assessment (Burns, 2015) . There are a top five learning skills an online instructor must have. In this paper two skill sets have been chosen.

Content knowledge

An online instructor must have a true understanding and knowledge of the topics he or she is to teach in a distance environment. There are some that would say that the online environment in a self-study process where the student would learn just through watching videos and reading content (Burns, 2015). On line instructor need to know how to help students gain a true understanding of the topic and be able to have strategies in place in a technology environment. The development phases that an instructor will need to achieve this skill would have to be Master phase the instructor should have taught the topic numerous times and has a good track record. The instructor should have at least studied the topic to truly have a developed knowledge of the topic. The instructor also have technology skills which is the key component of distance learning. Instructors of online learning must be strong with technology skills to use the medium designed to teach the topic. Online instructors would have to receive training on how to navigate and use the online classroom during their training.

Establish an online presence

In the online environment the instructors plays a vital role which is also multifaceted (Burns, 2015). That instructor is the go to person for student that may be new to the online learning environment and this can be a very daunting experience for new students (Burns, 2015). Online instructors must work to help the student have a welcoming feeling and encourage the student to broaden and deepen online communication (Burns, 2015). The online instructor must make important decisions on how well the student is participating in the class and is gaining knowledge of the content being taught. An effective online instructor must be able to teach a student how to manage their time and task they are assigned (Burns, 2015). This skill also ties well with effective communication skills one of the most important areas of communication is to be a good listener but when it comes to online listening skills do not play apart but if an online instructor can replace written text into a voice then the instructor can use active listening skills. When it comes to communication there is no such thing is over communicating (Online Learning Insights, 2016). It is important that communication is consistent and plentiful. It is very important that establishing an online presence the online instructor is more than an expert in the topic but is a learning leader a role model for the student (Online Learning Insights, 2016).

The Developmental phases

The developmental phases for this skill would be an apprentice that has at least taught two online courses and has used some communication technologies in an online learning environment. The forms of training that would be necessary is training in effective communication skills and leadership training as well.

Faculty

The trainers will consist of qualified new hire trainers or course developers.

The trainers will have successfully completed the 3 month new hire training program

The trainers must have a college degree of at least a bachelors in education.

The trainers must have full knowledge of the training they will be teaching.

Program Goals

Create an excellent training staff preparing them for an online environment through the use of technology.

To show the company the online learning will greatly increase the consistency of the training of new hires.

Create an environment the will be used by all trainers. Increase the level of customer service by providing all new hires

consistent training across the business model.

Program Objectives

Trainers will demonstrate an ability in having an online presence

Trainers will start discussions of main topics of training

Trainers will incorporate their real life experiences into the training

Assessment

A diagnostic assessments on the trainers to evaluate their online training skills

The assessment will measure the knowledge on trainees as individuals and as a team

No formative assessment will be used The trainees as a group will provide feedback on their training

experience A summative assessment will be evaluated at the program The trainers will be assessed with a post training evaluation. The following sections shows what it takes to be an effective

online trainer {OLT}

OLT

An online trainer must be effective time managers The online trainers must interact with trainees The online trainer must demonstrate a knowledge of the topic.

Phases of Development

Visitor which is someone that has little training Novice is someone to has yet to teach an online topic Apprentice is someone that is on the learning side Master trainer that has trainer online topics and has designed

several topics

Distance Learning Theories

Intrinsic motivation involves engaging in a behavior because it is

personally rewarding; essentially, performing an activity for its own

sake rather than the desire for some external reward.

Social Informatics is the study of information and communication

tools in cultural or institutional contexts.

Digital Media Theory

Engaging the Distance Learner

Presence in the class. You as online facilatator must show an online presence regularly answering questions, setting expectations, and starting discussion threads

Messaging communication is key to being a great facilitator make sure you have an open line of communication with your trainees

Pushing students to think outside of the classroom. Guide your students to use critical thinking skills.

Program Based Learning

https://www.powtoon.com/m/feMczpQ0LA4/1/m Please insert link into a Browser

Distance Education Classroom Management

Controversy can arise in any learning environment. How is it managed is a valuable skill to any teacher or facilitator. In an online class if a student says something it is important that the teacher reacts to the student quickly otherwise it can cause controversy amongst the other students. Online texting can also lead to misinterpretations students often can assumptions and take a message in the wrong fashion it was intended (Kelly, 2014). A good way to avoid controversy is to start with an icebreaker ask student questions like what is your favorite movie? You can also ask the student for post an introduction if themselves this will help get to know your students (Kelly, 2014).

Be Supportive

Other areas to help anticipate controversy is to be supportive when student become upset they will need extra support reach out to the student and find out what has caused the student to be upset (Kelly, 2014). This will help a teacher build rapport with the student and give the student a sense of ease making easier for the teacher to resolve the issue at hand.

Address interpersonal conflict

Interpersonal conflict and occur at any given time when this is not addressed it can lead to a negative learning experience. It is important that the teacher stays neutral and not take sides. Give the student time to cool off because when high emotions are involved it is difficult to resolve an issue (Kelly, 2014). Let the student know you are and will reach a resolution that avails all the parties concerned.

Encourage critical thinking

Controversy can stir emotions student will often base their options based on feeling not facts. Encourage your students to base their opinions based on facts this will cause your student to think outside the box (Kelly, 2014).

Promoting Student Self-Efficacy

A student that is new to distance learning can be a haunting experience and can be very challenging distance learning is an entirely different environment than face two face. Instructors want to help student master distance learning that being said the instructor should make sure the students have clear tasks that need to be accomplished in the first few days of class. Example, have the student post introductions of themselves for discussion credit (Vilkas & McCabe, 2014). This will show the student if they are using the online learning system correctly. The instructor should also post a positive feedback post to help the student gain a sense of success.

Another way to promote self-efficacy would be to build a sense of community when student are actively involved in an online discussion a sense of community is established. To help make sure this occurs the instructor to post behavior norms and grading expectations. The instructor should model this type of behavior by helping the help commit to asking questions that encourage higher thinking (Vilkas & McCabe, 2014).

Lastly physiological factors influence self-efficacy, in a face 2 face setting an instructor can see a student is nervous or has anxiety this is not true in distance learning an instructor should be one step ahead. An instructor can help reduce stress by posting examples or templates of an assignment, so this gives a student a roadmap to follow (Vilkas & McCabe, 2014). Build a rapport with the students once a positive relationship is established, and the student feels a sense of trust the student will not be as stressed and be able to have a positive learning experience (Vilkas & McCabe, 2014).

Presentation

http://www.slideshare.net/acknotts1/distance-education-classroom-management-66619350

Please follow link to view presentation of previous topic.

References

Kelly, R. (2014). Managing Controversy in the Online Classroom. Retrieved from http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/managing-controversy-in-the-online-classroom/

Vilkas, B., & McCabe, C. (2014). Promoting Students’ Self-Efficacy in the Online Classroom. Retrieved from http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/promoting-students-self-efficacy-online-classroom/

Burns, M. (2015). Top 5 Online Learning Skills That Online Instructors Should Have. Retrieved from https://elearningindustry.com/small-scale-vs-full-scale-elearning-implementatio

Online Learning Insights. (2016). Retrieved from https://onlinelearninginsights.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/five-vital-skills-instructors-need-to-facilitate-online-group-work-collaboration/