Virtual Bridge Sessions - Becoming More Human: The Nature of Authenticity Online
Channel: ColDevNet
Date: 2020-06-07

The presentation is centred on the premise that online learning and teaching is a relational, intersubjective process based on the establishment of relations of mutual recognition. There is also the view that the online context creates a ‘safe space’ and acts to level the playing field thereby enabling non-traditional learners to adjust more easily to the habitus of academia and therefore experience a transformation (Mongiello 2015). 

When considering how to design the online space, three key features have been identified relating to the online learning and teaching process: affect, dialogue and knowledge (Coker 2016). In furthering our understanding of the nature of authenticity online this presentation will reflect on the potential value attributed to these three features. Although the online context has potential, there are challenges in developing an authentic online persona.

As adult educators bring their authentic persona into the online space, they may find themselves questioning personal, social and institutional expectations about what it means to be a ‘good’ educator and, as a result, have to reconsider their educational online practice.

Presentation delivered by Dr Alice Mongiello, UHI, as part of the Virtual Bridge Session series.

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