Standing on the Shoulders of a Giant: Reconsidering Humanistic Perspectives on the Functions of an E-Moderator in Virtual Learning Contexts

Theoretical Underpinning Of The Chapter

The literature of online tutoring or e-moderation over the last twenty years has provided a number of frameworks and models (particularly Garrison & Anderson, 2003; Salmon, 2000 and more recently Seoane et al., 2007). These aim partly to support tutors in developing their facilitation skills, and partly to provide a basis for analytical and evaluative studies of practice. In such frameworks, the term and concept of ‘e-moderation’ (or online facilitation) has been used in different ways and contexts and with different meanings; but all involve someone (usually a teaching person) interacting online with students. Most of that literature lacks a significantly humanistic basis or an overt engagement with principles of human potential, personhood or fulfilment, as in explicit person-centred theories. Furthermore studies of some moderated online interactions which have been less than effective for learning and development suggest that problems arise when facilitation is not wholly confined within the ring-fence which should contain learner-directed activity (Vlachopoulos & Cowan, 2010b).

The notion of the ‘ring-fenced’ e-moderation activity was coined by the authors of this chapter after a careful analysis of four e-moderated online learning university contexts. These were found to be less than effective in creating a climate for truly learner-directed learning, wherein most of the decisions about learning should be the sole responsibility of the learner and not of the teacher or the e-moderator (Brookfield & Holst, 2011). The metaphorical ring-fence distinguishes between the various factors that can impact on the online tutoring and the consequent learning that occurs through these factors. In the outer annulus beyond the “ring fence” (see Figure 1) are located various managerial activities undertaken by those responsible for the provision of teaching and assessment, who may be members of a programme team, or the module leader. These include:

Figure 1.

The ring-fencing framework for student-centred learning about here (abridged from Vlachopoulos & Cowan, 2010b, p. 30)