Describe Roles and Functions in Online Learning Environments (Navigate 1.2.1)

Roles in Today's Online Learning Environments

There are a number of roles that are involved in online learning environments.  As the quest for quality online learning continues, there will likely be additional roles develop as well.  In the meantime, let's talk about the essential roles and functions in today's online learning environments.

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Student: 

To be honest, the student is a pretty important part of the mix.  If there weren't any students, we wouldn't need any schools--traditional or online!  The student has a important role--to participate, complete, and be responsible for the classes and curriculum they are signed up for.  

Teacher/facilitator:  

They have a pretty important job, too.  These are the people who teach, facilitate, sometimes design curriculum, grade, and give feedback to the students who sign up for the courses they are affiliated with.  Even in an online environment, they will typically keep "office hours"--times that students will be able to get in touch with them.  They will also handle any problems or concerns on a student by student basis.

Administrator:  

These are the VIPs of the educational hierarchy.  They make decisions, approve policies and curriculum, and oversee the bigger picture of the online educational entity.  

Content Developer:  

These are the resident or contracted "gurus", the people who create the lessons and make sure lessons are loaded into the online course mix as they were designed.  Their job is very important; they are checking to make sure Georgia standards are being met and mastered within the curriculum they develop!

IT and Support Personnel:  

They take the content from the developers and make sure it is functional on today's "information highway".  Links must be loaded, checked, tweaked, and serviced whenever needed.  They are the "go-to" people when your lessons aren't loading or for some reason isn't working properly.  

At Home Facilitator:  

This person works hand in hand with the student.  They could be a family member or even a teacher within a traditional school that decides to participate in online learning course they would otherwise not be able to offer their students.  This person is important because they are able to assist the student in real time.  A quality home facilitator is crucial to student success!