Online learning

In Education you have facilitators and learners, Knowing your role is very important. Most students have to have those boundaries set to set a tone or a mood. Essentials are defined roles between the student and the presenter to eliminate confusion. This starts with clear and direct communication from the Facilitator being teacher, instructor, Professor or what ever title you utilize.The course is only as easy as the knowledge you have and as good as the communication between the Facilitator and the learner. So yes you have an abundance of knowledge but can you present it to me, and can I convey it. The Facilitator should be accessible, in my experience professors who could not be reached made the situation challenging. Communities can be sustained through having people but you need clear direct communication and accessibility to one another. Social presence is needed for the course can be successful, meaning we are here even without the physical presence but we can interact via the set vehicles of communication. The online learning communities significantly impact both student learning learning because it creates a dynamic where the facilitator and the learner are equal participates.(Dr. Renata Palloff). Once again essentials are defined roles between the student and the presenter to eliminate confusion. One would say hook your student communicate with them, you retain them due to good communication and setting the tone. Video: "Evaluating Distance Learning Theory" (approximate length: 12 minutes). Dr. Saba discusses the importance of evaluating online learning theory and provides a rubric for determining which theories are best for building teaching strategies. Video: "Online Learning Communities" (approximate length: 44 minutes). Dr. Rena Palloff and Dr. Keith Pratt define "Online Learning Communities" and highlight the benefits of creating a learning community for facilitators of online learning experiences. Garcis, H. (2010). Getting successful as a distance learner. Retrieved May 25, 2011 from http://EzineArticles.com/3803925. Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (4th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson. Moore, M. (1991). Distance Education Theory. The American Journal of Distance Education, 5(3). Retrieved April 19, 2009, from http://www.ajde.com/Contents/vol5_3.htm