Facilitator Expectations
Just as there are certain expectations of you as an online student, you can expect certain things from your online facilitator as well. Your facilitator will:
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Demonstrate an expertise in both course content and facilitation skills. PLS facilitators have experience in the classroom and serve as adjunct faculty of our college and university partners. In order to become familiar with the content, assignments, and pacing of a course, PLS online facilitators must successfully complete the course as a participant with an experienced course trainer. Facilitators also complete a five-week Developing Online Facilitation Skills course, which includes online communication, collaboration, and community-building skills development, Sakai training, and assessment techniques. You can learn more about your facilitator (and any class member) by viewing their profile. From any course page, click Roster in the Left Navigation and then click on the name of the profile you would like to view. |
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Establish a positive online learning environment that fosters mutual respect. PLS facilitators set the right tone in their courses through their example. Since course interactions occur exclusively online, the facilitators must demonstrate excellent writing skills that model openness, caring, flexibility and sincerity. |
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Provide individual help and support. Facilitators log into their course daily to check for questions that may be posted in the Questions topic in Forums or through Messages. PLS and your facilitator want you to succeed. If you have any questions or concerns about your course please do not hesitate to contact your facilitator. |
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Encourage critical thinking. PLS facilitators ask questions, offer alternate perspectives, and provide additional information to encourage participants to expand their thinking about a topic. |
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Maintain a daily presence in the class. Your facilitator will participate in forum and activity discussions daily. You can expect a reply to a message sent through Sakai from your facilitator within twenty-four hours. If your facilitator will not be able to access the course for more than twenty-four hours, they will inform the class ahead of time via the forums, announcements, and/or a message. |
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Respond to participants in a timely manner, providing support and feedback. Your facilitator will post grades and specific feedback for all activities within forty-eight hours of the due date. If you have not submitted an activity within forty-eight hours past its due date, your facilitator will contact you by phone, message, or email. |