This section comprises information, links, references and activities related to E-Moderation. Questions or feedback should be directed to Amy Henderson

• The Global Context of E-Learning
• How do we define the Virtual Classroom?
• Role of the E-Moderator
• Benefits of E-Moderation
• Perceptions of E-Moderation and E-Learning
• Guiding Principles for E-Moderation
• Useful Document Links
• Useful Web Links
• Add a Web Link

Background: The Global Context of E-Moderation: The World of the Internet

Before we can explore E-Moderation, we must first have an understanding of the global context in which it occurs. According to Trend (2001: 2) the process of describing and analyising the world of the Internet is complicated by an absence of clear, explicit and technical information:

Despite the exponential growth sites, magazine articles, journal issues, books, and television programs about computer media, readers of digital culture find themselves confounded by a destabilizing war of positions that often exhibits more contradiction than coherence. […] Lacking a stable language to describe this seemingly new world, writers reach for neologisms or cling to tired metaphors like the nervous system, the highway or the post office.

Activity: Personal Analysis of the Internet

How do we Define the Virtual Classroom?

"A classroom can be defined as a communication system that makes it possible for a group of people/users to come together to dialogue about something they want to learn, and to look at visuals (pictures, diagrams) and text that might aid them in understanding. The conventional classroom is surrounded by walls that provide protection from outside noise and interference, contributing to a more effective learning process (Tiffin and Rajasingham 1995). A virtual classroom, on the other hand, is a system that provides the same opportunities for the teaching and learning process, beyond the physical limits of the traditional classroom's walls, thanks to the use of computer communication networks." (Hsu et al, 1999: 1 - 2, emphasis added.)

Within online learning, the process of the computer conference (including participation in discussion boards and chat rooms) has been described by Eastmond (1995: 68, bold added) "as if you had a typewriter and everyone took turns typing on it".

Online learning is also vastly different from other types of learning as "online discussions must consist [only] of the alphabet, numeric, and alphanumeric symbols available on a standard computer keyboard - a characteristic which has several important implications." (Eastmond, 1995: 69.)

What does the E-Moderator's Role Entail?

An E-Moderator is someone who leads or assists E-Learning. According to Richards (2004: 1) "e-learning is any learning that is facilitated by electronic means". The role of the E-Moderator may involve many different sub-roles. Kamau (2001: 56) describes one of these as being "the program's face and voice". This is the idea of teacher as iconic representation of the course, as a powerful and symbolic leader. The leader notion is discussed extensively (Bonk, Wisher and Lee, 2004: 54). Other role definitions have centred more around the notion of E-Moderator as coach (Bonk et al, 2004: 54), guide, facilitator (Bonk et al, 2004: 56; Lockwood, 2000 in Salmon, 2000: vi), mentor (Bonk et al, 2004: 54), resident "expert" (Bonk et al, 2004: 56), "sage" (Bonk et al, 2004: 56, 57) or even referee (Eastmond, 1995: 76).

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Why E-Moderate: The Top 10 Benefits

• Efficiency and Economy
• External Pressure (Within Workplace or Wider Community / Society)
• Provides a New Model of Learning that Matches with Changing Views of Adult Education
• Saves us from "information overload" - provides navigation, tracking and evaluation support
• Facilitates the development of "communities of learners", online collaboration and peer support.
• Encourages more participative, equitable models of decision making and discussion.
• Ensures that learning is Learner-Driven, not Technology-Driven.
• Provides a permanent reference resource for Learners.
• Nurtures Diversity.
• Actively Encourages the Development of Higher Order Thinking Skills
  

PowerPoint Presentation: "Why E-Moderate?"

For additional information on each of these benefits, download my article. More >>

Perceptions of E-Moderation and E-Learning

To complete a short activity to define your percepions of E-Moderation and E-Learning, click here.

Guiding Principles for E-Moderators

To ensure that e-learners gain the greatest benefit from online learning experiences, the following requirements should be well understood:

• Authenticity
• Planned Approaches to Teaching
• Appropriate Content
• Feedback to Students
• Management of the Changing Dynamic Between Students
• Explicit Communication about Expectations and Study Load
• Modelling Time Management Strategies
• Flexibility
• Appropriate Methodology and Suitable Delivery Methods
• The Need for Training and Professional Development for E-Moderators
• Strategies That Allow for the Absence of Non-Verbal Communication
• Regular Monitoring and Evaluation of Learners' Perceptions
• Sound Record Keeping and Administrative Practices

PowerPoint Presentation: "E-Moderation Classroom Implications".

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For additional information on each of these benefits, download my article. More >>

Useful Document Links

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