Key Competencies for Online Teachers in Distance Education Provision

Abstract

The globalization arising nowadays is technologically developed all the time; creating more diverse channels of access to knowledge. Learning behavior of learners is not limited only to classroom education. The use of online communication technology is one of the channels used in teaching and learning, especially in distance education provision. Teachers are thus required to change from transferring knowledge in classroom to online instruction designers. This academic paper therefore aimed to present key competencies for online teachers in distance education provision as a guideline for development of teachers and online education provision planning. The key competencies could be divided into 6 areas: 1) pedagogical competencies 2) learning activity organizing competencies 3) guidance and assistance competencies 4) assessment and knowledge competencies 5) information and communication technology skill competencies; and 6) online classroom interaction competencies. To allow teachers to develop competencies they should have and ready to design learning for learners effectively through the use of information technology at the maximum benefit; stakeholders at all levels, from policies to educational institutions necessarily should take part in planning the concrete guidelines for teacher development