The teachers role in creating an online learning community

Maor, D. (2002) The teachers role in creating an online learning community. In: Ninth International Learning Conference: New Learning, 16 - 20 July 2002, Beijing Friendship Hotel, Beijing, China.

Abstract

New technologies provides the opportunity for teachers to make learning interactive and collaborative by using a social constructivist approach to teaching and learning. This involves creating a student-centred approach where the teacher takes the role of the facilitator and the students engage in peer-learning. In this paper I reflect on my role as a facilitator in a higher education online unit that was designed for science and mathematics teachers who were geographically and socially isolated. My goal in unit design was to create a networked community of learners that encouraged peer learning and reflective thinking. Qualitative data from students' transcripts suggest that peer learning became a significant feature of the community, however, the reflective thinking opportunities often were missed. This paper will discuss pedagogies used by the facilitator in promoting peer-learning. In addition, it will discuss the challenges faced by the facilitator in transforming on-line interactions to higher levels of negotiation to create reflective thinking.