Facilitation · Multi-week online programs or extended modular courses

Gilly Salmon's Five Stage Model

A developmental framework designed to scaffold the online learning experience by guiding participants through a structured progression of technical mastery and social interaction. It emphasizes the role of the 'e-moderator' in facilitating active engagement and collaborative knowledge building.

When to use Gilly Salmon's Five Stage Model

This model is most effective for asynchronous online courses, blended learning programs, and the development of online communities of practice where social presence is critical for success.

How Gilly Salmon's Five Stage Model works

Facilitators can integrate this by designing a sequence of 'e-tivities' that match the current stage of the group. Start with low-stakes technical onboarding, transition into social icebreakers, and gradually increase the complexity of collaborative tasks as the group moves toward self-managed learning.

Phases of Gilly Salmon's Five Stage Model

  1. Stage 1: Access and Motivation: Participants get access to the online environment and feel welcome and motivated to take part. The e-moderator sorts out technical setup, welcomes each person and makes the purpose clear.
  2. Stage 2: Online Socialization: Participants build their online identity and find others to interact with. The e-moderator runs low-stakes activities, such as introductions or sharing an image, that build trust and group culture.
  3. Stage 3: Information Exchange: Participants exchange information and help each other with the course content and tasks. The e-moderator sets e-tivities that require finding, sharing and responding to resources.
  4. Stage 4: Knowledge Construction: Participants discuss ideas in depth and build knowledge together through collaboration. The e-moderator facilitates rather than instructs, prompting debate, summarizing and asking challenging questions.
  5. Stage 5: Development: Participants take responsibility for their own learning and reflect critically on it. The e-moderator supports self-directed work and reflection on how to apply the learning elsewhere.

Key principles

  • Scaffolded progression from technical access to cognitive development
  • The necessity of social interaction as a prerequisite for deep learning
  • The central role of the e-moderator in facilitating rather than lecturing
  • Activity-led learning through structured e-tivities

Best for

  • Asynchronous online learning
  • Collaborative group work
  • Digital literacy development

Considerations

  • Requires consistent and active moderation to prevent participant drop-off
  • Learners cannot skip stages; social cohesion must be established before complex knowledge construction can occur
  • Technical barriers in Stage 1 must be resolved quickly to maintain motivation

Attribution & sources

Developed by Gilly Salmon, 2000 (Updated 2022)

Primary source

Design a session with Gilly Salmon's Five Stage Model

METODIC builds a complete Gilly Salmon's Five Stage Model-based session — methods, timing, worksheets, and facilitator guides — in minutes.

Try METODIC free