Collaborative online learning: Issues in online facilitation

• Main Authors: Kaur , Harvinder, Kaur , Kuldip
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Published: 2005
• Subjects: LC5201 Education extension. Adult education. Continuing education
• Online Access: http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/52/1/Collaborative_online_learning.pdf; http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/52/

Collaborative online learning has the potential to enhance learners’ ability to learn and to construct knowledge in ways that they cannot do on their own. However, this cannot happen without the support of quality online facilitation by tutors and peers. This paper explores issues related to effective online facilitation within a distance learning environment at Open University Malaysia (OUM). The data cited here were taken from discussion groups for an OUM course called Learning Skills for Open and Distance Learners. Some of the issues discussed here are the nature of tutor intervention, the presence or absence of peer facilitation and the online task. The paper also provides recommendations that may guide the design of tasks for online discussion, and as strategies that may be employed in promoting collaborative online learning. (Author's abstract)