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Chapter 8
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-5466-0.ch008
ABSTRACT
Online facilitation in distance education presents many challenges that involve both the learners and
instructors. Through these challenges, the roles tutors’ play and their best practices used in online fa-
cilitation should be looked into to improve the distance-learning experience. In view of this, this chapter
attempted to examine the perspectives of experienced tutors engaged in the university’s virtual learning
environment, WawasanLearn. Based on the interview findings of eight tutors, several emergent findings
highlighted the roles and challenges of effective online facilitation. As this research is based on the
guidelines of the prominent Salmon’s model, the findings also highlighted antecedents that substanti-
ate best practices of online facilitation. Findings indicated that understanding the dynamics of online
facilitation among relevant stakeholders is critical to improve the teaching and learning experience in
distance education.
Tutors’ Perspectives on Online
Facilitation of ESL Courses
in Distance Education
Li Hsien Ooi
Wawasan Open University, Malaysia
Lay Huah Goh
HELP University, Malaysia
Arathai Din Eak
Wawasan Open University, Malaysia
Cheng Teik Ong
Wawasan Open University, Malaysia