Online Facilitator Job Description

Overview

Course Facilitators are to act as online ambassadors, responsible for overseeing their assigned students, answering student questions on course content, and being a presence in the class. The role entails interacting with the students in their group daily and keeping track of assignments and grades. A BU Virtual (BUV) Faculty & Student Support Administrator will be assigned to each program and will assist with any general technical issues or recurring student problems. Important course dates (exams, assignments, etc.), discussion topics and order of discussion threads, as well as order and appearance of grade book columns are established in advance by the professor/instructor of each course. Facilitators are not responsible for, nor are they allowed to change dates or content in a course unless otherwise specified.

Online courses are divided into sections of approximately 15 students. Each section is overseen by a facilitator. The facilitator will carry out the professor/instructor’s and academic department’s vision for how the course will be delivered. The professor/instructor and academic department will make selections of facilitators prior to the beginning of each class period. Once selected, BUV will initiate a contract and arrange for training.

Unless otherwise specified by the professor/instructor, facilitators will grade individual assignments, papers, projects and exams, in keeping with the course’s grading criteria, and will provide this information to the professor/instructor who will remain responsible for assigning the overall final grades in the course. The facilitator is to report any potential problems or issues immediately to the professor/instructor and the Lead Facilitator, if one has been assigned. Facilitators will participate in weekly conference calls with the professor/instructor to discuss any general issues or problems arising in the course.

Specific Job Responsibilities

  • Participating in online facilitator training to become familiar with the learning management system and the student experience.
  • Logging in to course one week prior to facilitating to become familiar with content.
  • Reading and following guidelines provided for facilitating online courses and participating in a course kickoff conference call.
  • Working with the professor/instructor, Lead Facilitator and BU Virtual in overseeing and coordinating course sections.
  • Being online and visible six out of seven days per week. Facilitators should note to their section which will be their day off. This should be consistent throughout the class period.
  • Grading of assignments, quizzes, midterms, essays in consultation with professor/instructor requirements.
  • Moderating weekly online discussions to ensure content is appropriate and on topic.
  • Responding to student inquiries within 24 hours.
  • Answering course-related questions as they arise, in consultation with BUV Faculty & Student Support Administrator if necessary.
  • Responding to student questions, interacting with professor/instructor (academic issues) or the departmental Online Coordinator (administrative issues) on behalf of student when necessary.
  • Conducting periodic interactive sessions (Live Classroom) as needed.
  • Interacting with each student at least once per week via email, online chat or discussion, phone or fax.
  • If requested by professor/instructor, providing weekly student reports including, but not limited to:
    • Flow of the course –- Is everything running smoothly? Were there any content or assignment questions from students requiring the professor/instructor’s clarification? How was it handled?
    • List any students you have not heard from that week, have not submitted their work, or have requested any form of extension. The professor/instructor needs to be aware of these students ahead of time.
  • Reviewing and/or grading student final projects, papers, or exams at the end of each course as requested by professor/instructor.
  • Posting grades to the online student grade book in a timely fashion.

Failure to comply with the duties described in this document may result in the termination of the facilitator’s employment.