Strategies and Practical Recommendations for Facilitation in Online Education
With the increasing uptake of technological advances, it can be expected that online educational solutions will become a permanent fixture in post-secondary education. As the number of online course offerings continues to rise, so will the need for research on effective facilitation practices in the online realm (Brewer & Dewar, 2003). This paper provides theoretical understanding, through the lens of Connectivist and Social Constructionist theories, on how students learn in online environments, and identifies the most prominent strategies that result in successful online course facilitation. Findings of the research reflect that successful online learning environments are characterized by implementation of frequent feedback, development of clear guidelines, promotion of engagement through presence, and use of varying teaching styles. Ultimately, this paper serves as a summary of practical strategies that can be used to foster an effective transfer of knowledge in online educational environments.
