Research into the Facilitation of K-12 Online Learning Blogging Activity

I have not been or have not known a facilitator of an online course as far as I can remember, so I thought it was best for me to choose the alternate set of questions.

2. Do you agree that facilitators play an important role in online learning? Why or why not?

     After reading the article, I do agree that facilitators play a huge role in online learning.   Students that do not work well independently, are not extremely motivated, and struggle with time management need a facilitator to be successful in an online course.  They need guidance and direction from someone they can see. Some students just need to be accountable to a "real" person.  Even though most often it is the online teacher that is giving the assignments and grades, just having person in the room can motivate and prod a student along that needs the extra push.
     From the article, research has even been shown that having a facilitator lowered the dropout rate among students of online classes.  I can see why.  It was interesting for me to see through the article that facilitators take on different roles in different online courses.  Whatever the role, facilitators are an extremely important part of online learning.

Irvin, M. (2012). Research into the facilitation of K-12 online learning.  Retrieved
       from http://virtualschoolmooc.wikispaces.com/facilitator