Stepping into the Virtual Classroom - Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone? The Roles of the Teacher in the Virtual Classroom

This paper will address the role of the teacher/ tutor in asynchronous and synchronous e-learning setups. Unlike in the case of the traditional classroom setup, where they mainly have to concentrate on delivering the content, in the virtual environment the teachers have to fulfill various other roles that are equally important. One of these roles is that of a facilitator which takes a different dimension online, where body language is missing and new rules and protocols need to be established and respected. Another aspect that cannot be overlooked by the online teachers is the technical mediation. Often an awkward and uncomfortable role, that takes them out of the comfort zone of their discipline, offering technical assistance is essential for the smooth running of the asynchronous and especially synchronous e-learning tools. The paper will outline and analyse the three main roles of the teacher in the virtual classroom: lecturer/ knowledge provider; moderator/ facilitator and technical mediator. Moreover, the weight each role should play in a well-balanced online course will be discussed. Last but not least, the change of mentality is also an important factor, as educators need to re-think the way they approach teaching and the various activities involved – before, during and after the lecture- in order to have an efficient and successful performance in the virtual classroom. Training and support are two elements that can actively contribute to this pedagogical overhaul, provided they become an integral part of the professional development programme and teachers are offered a suitable incentive to engage in online activities. The paper is based on current research undertaken at the Institute for European Studies, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, looking into the teachers' perception of synchronous e-learning environments and the roles they see themselves playing in delivering teaching content online as opposed to the traditional setup.