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  Summary:

Differential Skills and Competencies Required of Faculty Teaching Distance Education Courses
  Title:

"Differential Skills and Competencies Required of Faculty Teaching Distance Education Courses"
  Name: Awilda Melendez
  Email:
a_melendez_upr@hotmail.com
  Class:
EDTEC 541 Online Session 4 Awilda Melendez
  Date:
March 15, 2002
 
 

Reference:

  Schoenfeld-Tacher, R. and Persichitte, K. A. (2000). Differential Skills and Competencies Required of Faculty Teaching Distance Education Courses.
IJET - International Journal of Educational Technology [online series], 2,1.
Available: http://www.outreach.uiuc.edu/ijet/v2n1/schoenfeld-tacher/index.html
(July, 2000).


 
 
  Problem:
 

Faculty differential skills and competencies needed to teach effectively distance education courses should be explored. The differences between this type of instruction and face to face must be established.

 
 
  Context:
  Six faculty members were surveyed in this study. All teach distance education courses at a Doctoral Institution in Northeastern Colorado and possessed above average technical skills and computer experience before teaching Web-based courses. The professors differ in the expertise field, the academic level taught, and their knowledge in distance education theories and principles. The date(s) of the study are not specifically stated in the article.

The six professors were surveyed about their experiences in teaching online courses and how them differs from face to face teaching. After the survey, individual interviews were performed to validate the survey data. Also this data was compared with those on the literature.

 
 
  Findings:
  The author concluded, as a result of the faculty survey, that individual experiences and prior knowledge of distance education theories and principles seems to influence how the professors conducted their online courses. The data also shows that the faculty needs extra amount of time to prepare high quality online courses.

Based on the survey and the literature review, he says that faculty must rely on traditional pedagogical methods and must demonstrate skills and competencies in areas such as: the differences between online and face to face instruction, application of instructional design principles, familiarity with delivery media, and the use of strategies to promote interaction among participants and the content.


 
 
  Recommendations:
  I concur with the author findings and with the need of further investigation to support effective online courses.The author findings are important to any professor who wants to start an online course. Also they are important to educational institutions because they have to serve as facilitators. Being aware of the skills and competencies needed helps to establish a plan for faculty and institutional development.

Another advantage of having a knowledge faculty in the design of effective online courses is that it can increases the student satisfaction in the learning process and as a result improves student retention.

 
 
 
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