Tips on how to be an excellent online facilitator

Being an engaging online facilitator is not an easy task, but there are some tips and strategies that can help you improve your skills and make your sessions more effective. Here are some of them:

• Before you start your online session, make sure you have a clear objective, a well-designed agenda, and a suitable platform and tools. Prepare your materials, activities, and questions in advance, and test your technology and internet connection. Also, communicate with your participants beforehand and let them know what to expect and how to prepare
• A model: A model is a way of seeing the world and organizing information. It can help you structure your content, guide your interactions, and evaluate your outcomes. For example, you can use the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) for instructional design, or the GROW model (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) for coaching.
• Icebreakers: The aim of icebreakers is to reduce anxiety and promote interactions among participants. They can also help you establish rapport, build trust, and create a positive atmosphere. You can use icebreakers at the beginning of your session, or throughout the session to energize the group or change the pace. Some examples of icebreakers are: introducing yourself and sharing something interesting or fun about you; asking participants to share their expectations or goals for the session; playing a trivia game or a word association game; or using polls or surveys to get feedback or opinions.
•  Learner motivation. Learner motivation is a key factor for engagement and retention in online learning. To motivate your participants, you need to understand their needs, interests, and preferences, and tailor your content and delivery accordingly. You can also use various techniques to increase motivation, such as: providing clear learning objectives and outcomes; giving frequent and constructive feedback; offering choices and autonomy; creating challenges and opportunities for mastery; fostering collaboration and social presence; and recognizing and rewarding achievements.                          
• Forums are a great way to facilitate online discussions, share ideas, and build community. However, they can also be challenging to manage and moderate. To use forums effectively, you need to make your expectations clear to your participants, such as: how often they should post or reply; what kind of language and tone they should use; how they should cite sources or references; how they should handle disagreements or conflicts; and how they will be assessed or evaluated

These are some of the tips that can help you be an engaging online facilitator. Of course, there are many more aspects to consider, such as: using multimedia and interactive elements; adapting to different learning styles and preferences; providing accessibility and inclusivity; managing time and attention span; dealing with technical issues or disruptions; and evaluating your performance and seeking feedback. The more you practice and learn from your experiences, the more confident and skilled you will become as an online facilitator!

I am Kafayat Taiwo, a passionate educator with over a decade teaching experience as a physics and maths tutor.  I have honed my instructional skills and developed a deep passion for fostering students' scientific curiosity. You can send me a message to arrange a free trial session.