E-moderation five-stage model

(needs some tuning)

Definition

• Gilly Salmon's 5-stage model of e-moderating describes to design an course that strongly uses computer-mediated communication, in particular forums

• A description of a five-stage model of teaching and learning online (Gilly, 2002:X).

The five stages - Overview

1. Access & Motivation. Exploring the technology and motivation building are key issues. The e-moderator helps meeting people and learn the environment.
2. Socialisation. Building on the first stage, this stage focuses on social processes and 'community building'. Moderator does bridge building.
3. Information Exchange. Information is exchanged and co-operative tasks can be achieved. Interaction happens with contents, other participants and the e-moderator that assists exploration activities.
4. Knowledge Construction. Knowledge development and discussion activities become important. Participants start recognizing the value of text-based asynchronous interaction and take control of knowledge construction.
5. Development. Participants become responsible for their own learning and that of their group. Ideas are applied to individual contexts. This stage is characterised by reflection and assessment.

The 5-stage model is also at the core of Salmon's e-tivity frameworks for enhancing active and participative online learning by individuals and groups.

Comments

Salmon's books are easy reading and are suitable for beginners:

• She provides a lot of examples.
• She works with simple technology (e.g. forums and email).
• There are practical "how-to" sections (recipees).

Globally speaking, her own books do a very good job for her stages 1-3. They also are a must read for practitionners of content-oriented e-learning. I don't think that her approach goes far enough to support deeper project-oriented teaching. What I miss most are scenarios to build tangible knowledge or projects that are reified on-line .. a price to pay for using only simple communication tools (no Wikis, no C3MS, etc.)

11:03, 11 April 2006 (MEST)--DSchneider

Links

• E-tivities book companion site

• E-moderation book companion site

References

• Salmon, Gilly (2003) E-moderating: The Key to Teaching and Learning Online (2nd edition), London: Taylor & Francis. ISBN 0415335442.
  • See also the review at elearning-reviews.org.

• Salmon, Gilly (2002), "E-tivities. The Key to Active Online Learning", London: Tayler & Francis. ISBN 0749436867
  • See also the review at elearning.surf.nl