174+Scott

The Tao of online facilitation || Robinson Scott, Kaplan University, Houston, Texas, United States, scottrobinson@kaplan.edu || Abstract This presentation uses principles of Taoism to emphasize the role of the facilitator. The presentation also shows how these principles complement the following adult education theories: constructivism, andragogy, cognitive economy, and asynchronous learning.
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Summary In the west, non-judgment is viewed as suspending all judgment and thus opening the door to chaos and confusion. We attach ourselves, and our created order, to our ability to reason and create reasonable conclusions. As instructors shaped by this western philosophy, we give instructions, rather than facilitate learning: this is the pedagogical model of transferring information to the students. We succeed when they “get it.” We fail when they “just don’t get it!” In eastern philosophies, non-judgment is the practice of suspending judgment and taking a posture of non-action (wu-wei) so that the life energy (ch’i) can flow and create a new order.

In the west, we think non-action means doing nothing. In reality, non-action takes a more disciplined effort than an expedient response. The classic example of how this form of non-action works is to think of floating in a downstream current of water rather than swimming upstream. When practicing this form of “non-judgment” the facilitator is more willing to detach from his or her need to control the outcome. This emotional detachment allows the facilitator to listen to the group field and allow the ch’i (energy of the group) to lead the group to a more energized discussion. In many cases, this discussion leads to a more reasonable conclusion than once imagined. One benefit of practicing this eastern form of non-judgment is that the facilitator is less controlling, arrogant (overpowering in spirit), and robotic. Most people (students included) do not respond well to controlling and authoritative robots. Perhaps the greatest benefit of practicing this form of non-judgment is the facilitator learns with the students! The result of the Tao of online facilitation is the facilitator and the students “get it” (learn). || General session Forum For all audiences ||
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