The world of online learning can be both daunting and rewarding. I have discovered through experience that a guided and supportive approach is best in developing an effective online learner.
Salmon (2011) introduces us to a 5 Stage Model of key elements to scaffold successful online learning, building upon a learner’s technological prowess and building confidence with online socialisation, interaction and information exchange. This interaction with content and the wider online community is imperative for active learning to occur. Building with it, a community of practice (Smith, 2003,2009) allowing participants to learn through social interaction and engagement, connecting them with others through a shared common interest in a collaborative setting.
For Salmon’s model to be successful, the e-moderator has a critical role. Not only do they need technological competence and administrative skills, but they need to be able to communicate, be responsive in providing informative feedback, facilitate and monitor participant learning and provide support and encouragement (Roddy et al. 2017).
Some of the challenges of learning online may include technical difficulties for the learner, a sense of isolation and lack of purposeful engagement and online motivation (Salmon, 2011) affecting their ability to successfully learn online.
The strengths of learning online once formed however, are rewarding. Collaborating in a world of shared interests through discussion and activities, building relationships and resources with each other in a community of practice and promoting an active and engaging learning environment for the learner to excel.
Learning Spaces 