Online Teachers' and On-Site Facilitators' Shared Responsibilities at a Supplemental Virtual Secondary School

• In Event: The Teacher’s Perspective: Exploring Professional Development, Teacher Efficacy, and Responsibilities

Abstract

Local schools are increasingly providing their students who are enrolled in an online course with an on-site facilitator as a means for increasing online pass rates. However, few studies have examined how online teachers and on-site facilitators work in conjunction to support online students. Using purposeful sampling methods, successful on-site facilitators (n=12) and online teachers (n=12) participated in two one-hour interviews for a total of 48 interviews. Analysis found that while both the teachers and facilitators assumed extensive and complex roles, their responsibilities were overlapping but complementary.

Authors

• Jered Borup, George Mason University

• Rebecca Stimson, Michigan Virtual University