Assignments

Facilitating Online 2011

Good online facilitation depends on good online communication skills

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Work in progress, expect frequent changes. Help and feedback is welcome. See discussion page.

Please note: the assignments may change in the re-development.

There are three assignments which are built around maintaining a personal blog and facilitating an online event. These collectively cover all learning outcomes.

Personal blog

Set up or use an existing blog. This blog will represent your online presence, be a key communication tool, demonstrate your learning as evidence for assessment and be a place where you will receive formative feedback.

• Help in getting started with blogs
• How to write a blog post

What you write in your blog posts is totally down to you, but we recommend you keep your posts short and sweet, containing a concise account of your learning, and connecting with your readers by using your own voice and take on things.

• Write blog posts with impressions and reflections of what you have learned during the course.
  
• Post progress reports on how you are doing with the planning, facilitating and evaluating of your online event (see Assignment 2).
  
• Share resources that you think may be of interest to other course participants.
  
• Comment on other people's blogs.

To keep up with the contributions of other participants, you may wish to set up an (RSS) news reader and subscribe to their blogs. This will save you a lot of time by not having to go to each blog. News readers are a very efficient and simple way to establish a connection with others in the course, and to stay up to date with what they are doing.

• Help in getting started with an RSS news reader
  

Assignments

There are three assignments which are built around maintaining a personal blog and facilitating an online event. These collectively cover all learning outcomes.

Assignment

Assignment 1: Online communities and networks Learning Outcomes: 1 and 2 Marks: 'Pass' or 'Not passed' Due Date: August 19th 17.00 hours New Zealand Write a blog post that explores: the features of online communities and networks; the elements of skilful online facilitation. Include in your post/s why it is important for an online facilitator to be aware how online communities and networks function. Marking criteria There are no word limits. However, to pass this assignment you need to: follow the course schedule, read the assigned material and participate in any events; include original thoughts, reflections and references - don't just summarize readings or events; make connections between the weekly topics; make connections between your previous blog posts; make connections with posts that other participants have written.

Assignment

Assignment 2: Planning an online event Learning Outcomes: 3 Marks: 'Pass' or 'Not passed' Due Date: Friday October 21st 17.00 hours New Zealand Write a blog post that explores: how online communication tools can be used to facilitate online; the process of facilitating an online event. Marking criteria There are no word limits. However, to pass this assignment you need to: follow the course schedule, read the assigned material and participate in any events; include original thoughts, reflections and references - don't just summarize readings or events; make connections between the weekly topics; make connections between your previous blog posts; make connections with posts that other participants have written.

Assignment

Assignment 3: Evaluate your facilitation of an online event Learning Outcomes: 4. Marks: 'Pass' or 'Not passed' Due Date: November 11th 17.00 hours New Zealand This assignment requires you to report in your blog on your facilitation of an online event in the course mini conference. What went well, and what did not go so well How the event was organised and promoted adequate information support (technical and access) relevant for the audience Whether the event was managed and conducted smoothly - particularly noting how you handled any disruptions. What efforts you made to ensure that all participants knew where they were supposed to be and when, and arrange technical support for people? How you set the stage, made introductions, explained the aims, and whether you managed to remain neutral and facilitatory. How you did a round up, drew closure and indicated where recordings and other follow up materials would be made available. Feedback from audience How you would do things in the future General comments and additions. Marking criteria There is no word limits on this post. However, to pass this assignment you need to address each of the elements outlined above.

Marks

Marks are not allocated to each assignment, only a 'pass' or 'not passed'. You must successfully complete all assignments to be awarded a pass in the course. One re-submission per assignment is possible if a pass is not obtained the first time. (Note: feedback given on draft copies of assignments does not affect the re-submission regulations.)

Extensions

Please note that you must request an extension before the due dates.

Assessment services

• As an informal learner doing this course for your own learning, you are very welcome to take part in the mini conference and complete any or all of the assignments. However, you will not receive any specific support or feedback from the course facilitator.
• If you have paid a fee to become a facilitated student, you will receive personalised support to complete the assignments as well as feedback from the course facilitator. You will receive a certificate of participation once you have completed the course. However, you will not receive accreditation for the course.
• If you are a formally enrolled student you will to receive personalised support and full feedback and assessment services. You will receive course accreditation once you have successfully passed all assignments.

For more information about enrolling as a facilitated or formal student please contact our administrator Catherine Lindsay Email.