E-tivities
Being There
Facilitating e-learning
Choose the best/correct answer for each of the following questions and then check your
answers on the last page of this document.
1. The correct order of the steps in Gilly Salmon’s 5 step model for e-moderation is:
a. Online Socialisation, Access and Motivation, Development, Information Exchange,
Knowledge Construction
b. Knowledge Construction, Access and Motivation, Online Socialisation,
Development, Information Exchange
c. Access and Motivation, Online Socialisation, Knowledge Construction, Information
Exchange, Development
d. Access and Motivation, Online Socialisation, Information Exchange, Knowledge
Construction, Development
2. Setting objectives, determining deadlines and establishing procedures are tasks
assigned to which of Zane Berg’s four facilitation roles?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Pedagogical
Social
Managerial
Technical
3. Which of the following is not a characteristic of effective problem based learning
(PBL)? It:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Provides learners with the opportunity to tackle complex, real life problems
Supports the development of interpersonal skills through collaborative learning
Offers a single achievable solution to each problem
Is likely to support learner engagement in the process of problem solving
4. Which of the following may not be an advantage of asynchronous communication? It:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Affords time to consider and plan responses
Makes differing time zones irrelevant
Provides volume and diversity of opinion
Creates relative anonymity thus limiting inhibitions linked to accent, gender or
class
5. Which of the following is not a function of summarising a discussion topic?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Refocussing and reviving the topic
Facilitating storage and retrieval of information
Integrating and acknowledging diverse contributions
Reinforcing and imprinting new information
E-tivities
Being There
6. Which of the following tools is best suited to facilitating reflective information
sharing around a specified topic?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Discussion Forum
Chat Room
E-mail
Instant Messaging
7. The core principle in netiquette is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Use smilies to simulate non verbal cues
Remember the human
Communicate online as you would face to face
Preview your messages before you press ‘send’
8. A chat session could be an effective strategy for:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Checking that learners fully understand topic outcomes
Airing a controversial topic early in your course
Sharing research findings on a given topic
Providing learners with the chance to interact with an expert guest
9. Which of the following is not a useful component of a well designed induction
program for e-learning?
a. A list of warnings about and consequences of inappropriate online behaviour
b. A list of times when you will be available online and a statement about
turnaround (response) times to e-mails
c. A list of anticipated course outcomes and a statement about expected levels and
volumes of participation
d. A list of computer hardware and software essential for participating in the course
and contact details for technical support
10. A qualitative evaluation of your e-learning program might include:
a. Tracking learner participation by recording how frequently they log into the
course
b. Opening a ‘last word’ discussion to enable learners to talk about their experience
in the course
c. Counting the number of postings to the discussion and measuring them against
guidelines provided in the induction
d. Submitting your results listing who will need to re-enrol in the course
11. Managing your e-learning workload will not be helped by:
a. Creating a set of reusable email templates dealing with administrative matters
such as deadlines and access
b. Setting up a system for storing learner details and progress
c. Using ‘old technology’ such as telephones, faxes and paper some of the time
d. Being generally available for big chunks of unspecified time either on or off line
E-tivities
Being There
12. An e-learning strategy likely to appeal strongly to visual learners is:
a. Providing frequent text- based quizzes which they need to complete in a
specified time frame
b. Uploading copious notes and references as pre-reading for the course
c. Using graphics diagrams and mind maps illustrating key concepts
d. Setting frequent discussion tasks based on key passages from course texts
13. An e-learning strategy likely to appeal strongly to aural learners is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Providing frequent opportunities to chat, brainstorm and role play
Asking them to interpret lots of diagrams representing key concepts
Providing articles and readings for individual analysis and summary
Creating lots of complex animated interactions
14. An e-learning strategy likely to appeal strongly to kinaesthetic learners is:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Setting discussion tasks based on complex theoretical knowledge
Holding long chat sessions to encourage reflection and evaluation
Conducting web-based field trips and simulated experiments
Providing extensive background reading for the course
15. Noriani Hassim has not logged into your e-learning course by week three. You would:
a. Delete Noriani, as she has obviously withdrawn from the course
b. E-mail Noriani reminding her of the compulsory participation requirement and
setting her a deadline for posting to the discussion
c. Telephone Noriani to talk about why she hasn’t logged into the course
d. Post Noriani a reminder note about the first assessment which is due next week
16. Which of the following may present obstacles to Noriani’s participation in e-learning?
a. Cultural differences and expectations about how learning occurs
b. Language difficulties with English generally and with technical English in
particular
c. Technical literacy and access to a computer
d. All of the above
17. Alex Brown has posted a discussion message in which he criticises and demeans
another learner’s contribution in a highly personal and inappropriate way. You would:
a. Delete the message and post a public response to it giving Alex a good telling off
b. Leave the message up and post a public response telling everyone that this is a
prime example of inappropriate behaviour
c. Leave the message up and ask other learners to comment on its tone and content
d. Delete the message and e-mail Alex privately about being mindful of the
netiquette guidelines provided in the course induction. Ask him to apologise to
the learner he has offended.
E-tivities
Being There
18. Which of the following may have contributed to Alex’s inappropriate behaviour?
a. Genuine ignorance about communicating in an e-learning environment
b. A short fuse and low tolerance for other’s differing opinions
c. An authentic but misguided attempt to make a serious contribution to the
discussion
d. All of the above
19. Miranda Starr is a prolific contributor to the discussion forum. She posts at least three
times a day. Some of her contributions are targeted responses to tasks and questions
but the majority are irrelevant and rambling. You would:
a. Ignore the additional postings, other learners will sort Miranda out by
commenting on her contributions and letting her know when she is talking rubbish
b. Respond to all Miranda’s postings with a serious and considered comment. After
all she has taken the trouble to participate fully and this should be rewarded.
c. Email Miranda acknowledging her enthusiasm and suggesting that she might add
value and focus to her contributions by revisiting the attached copy of the
discussion protocols you provided to everyone at the start of the course.
d. Post a public reply to several of Miranda’s less relevant postings commenting on
their lack of forethought and connection to the topic
20. Which of the following may have contributed to Miranda’s inappropriate use of the
discussion?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A desire to grandstand and dominate the discussion
A lack of awareness about course aims and outcomes
A genuine sense of engagement and commitment to the course
All of the above
E-tivities
Being There
Answers
Question 1
Answer:
d
Access and Motivation, Online Socialisation, Information Exchange,
Knowledge Construction, Development are the steps for progressively
engaging e-learners and facilitating their development and interaction online.
Question 2
Answer:
c
Setting objectives, determining deadlines and establishing procedures are
primarily administrative or managerial tasks rather community building,
academic or technical responsibilities.
Question 3
Answer:
c
Authentic examples of problem-based learning reflect real life dilemmas
which tend to be messy and complex with a variety of potential solutions.
Question 4
Answer:
c
The time and confidence afforded to learners to respond to an asynchronous
activity can generate a potentially overwhelming volume and diversity of
replies. As a skilful facilitator, you will need to manage this!
Question 5
Answer:
b
Summarising discussion topics is an essential skill for capturing and
consolidating learning. Storing this distilled wisdom for reuse later is the
administrative business of archiving.
Question 6
Answer:
a
An asynchronous discussion allows time for learners to research, draft and
preview their responses before posting them to a clearly identified public
space which is easily accessed by the group.
Question 7
Answer:
b
In essence, netiquette is about transferring and adapting the best qualities of
face to face communication in cyberspace. This means being empathic,
tactful, witty, tolerant and genuine in our dealings with the real person on
the receiving end of our ‘send’ buttons.
Question 8
Answer:
d
Chat is a great way to access otherwise unavailable expertise in a structured
way. The unpredictable and instant nature of chat can be problematic when
dealing with hot issues or topics needing contemplation and reflection.
Question 9
Answer:
a
While a set of netiquette guidelines outlining appropriate behaviour online is
a great induction item, a pre-emptive strike on naughtiness may well be
perceived as negative or threatening by your learners.
E-tivities
Being There
Question 10
Answer:
b
Giving learners the chance to provide subjective feedback on their
impressions and experience in your course will give you a wealth of
information to help evaluate, adapt and improve your course.
Question 11
Answer:
d
Setting clear and reasonable parameters on your availability is essential to
maintaining your energy and focus as a facilitator. Decide what works for you
and communicate it clearly to learners at the outset of your course.
Question 12
Answer:
c
Visual learners respond well to images as aids to learning and remembering.
Colour and movement based strategies such as mind mapping and photo
stories are likely to appeal to these learners.
Question 13
Answer:
a
Aural learners respond well opportunities to ‘talk’ their learning through with
others. It is possible to create challenging e-learning activities using the full
range of online communication tools.
Question 14
Answer:
c
Kinaesthetic or physical learners respond well to practical or ‘hands on’
activities grounded in real life experiences.
Question 15
Answer:
c
It is definitely time to use ‘old technology’ to find out what is happening with
Noriani. Speaking with her ‘face to face’ and in real time will enhance your
chances of identifying and responding to the barriers confronting Noriani.
Question 16
Answer:
d
Cultural differences, language and technology skills and access can all impact
on a learner’s capacity to engage in online learning.
Question 17
Answer:
d
Highly inappropriate material should be deleted as soon as you discover it.
Deal with this matter privately, at least initially. This will enable you to
explore and respond to the reasons behind Alex’s actions which may ensure
that he doesn’t repeat the behaviour. It also enables you to protect the
dignity and privacy of everyone involved in an ugly incident like this one.
Question 18
Answer:
d
Misguided enthusiasm, poor interpersonal skills and lack of clarity about how
to behave online could all contribute to inappropriate behaviour.
E-tivities
Being There
Question 19
Answer:
c
Refocussing Miranda without squashing her enthusiasm is the name of the
game here. Providing clear protocols for the volume and type of posting as
part of your induction may help to prevent this situation arising.
Question 20
Answer:
d
A large ego and a sense of superiority as opposed to unbridled enthusiasm
coupled with lack of clarity about what’s required can all translate into
energetic but largely irrelevant contributions.