What Makes A Great Christian Online Course Facilitator: Students Finally Speak Up

Presenting remotely via videoconference / presentación remota vía videoconferencia

Online education is now well established around the world. Adventists, although still not fully involved in it, have joined online education in a number of institutions. The resistance once held about online education continues to decrease as the years go by. Although many guidelines have been published on what is expected from a good online course facilitator; it is, however, important to learn even more from the online students to understand what they believe makes the best online course facilitator, rather than rely solely on pre-established sets of characteristics. This case study based on an Adventist university that offers online programs in the Philippines, explored the viewpoint of online students through interviews to come up with a list of characteristics that define a great Christian online course facilitator. A taxonomy of seven indicators emerged. Great Christian online facilitators demonstrate characteristics of a Christian facilitator, use effective online course facilitation strategies, give useful feedback, communicate effectively, use authentic assessments, plan well, and motivate students.