The role of the instructor in distance education courses as compared to face-to-face courses has a number of considerable differences due to the introduction of new technologies and changes in student demographics. Distance educators must possess a number of competencies about the technologies that are used, in order to effectively design and deliver distance learning courses to students who are learning at a distance. These competencies distinguish the instructor’s role in distance education classes from those in a traditional classroom environment. Distance educators must understand the needs of the learners and comprehend what support the students will need in a virtual environment. It is important for instructors to be good communicators. Communication plays an important role in facilitating learning in distance education classes. Teachers must be facilitators and not just dispensers of knowledge. They should encourage the students to search for information, acquire it, and learn from it. This will help them to become more autonomous and independent, while working a self-paced environment.
Distance educators play an important part in taking on a social role in distance learning courses. Distance education classes are good places for collaborative learning. This can help create a more productive culture for social interaction. Instructors in distance learning courses helps to facilitate discussions and keep them on track, assists students with working in groups, and enforces conflict resolution. In addition, teachers make sure they monitor the learners’ progress as well. Distance educators need to take on multiple and merging roles. It requires that they be able to change with current times, trends, and advancements in technology. It may be hard to distinguish the instructor’s role in both kinds of environments, but it is paramount that these roles become more apparent in the future.
References:
Easton, S. S. (2003). Clarifying the instructor’s role online distance learning. Communication Education, 52 (2), 87-105. doi: 10.1080/0363452032000085072
Distance educators play an important part in taking on a social role in distance learning courses. Distance education classes are good places for collaborative learning. This can help create a more productive culture for social interaction. Instructors in distance learning courses helps to facilitate discussions and keep them on track, assists students with working in groups, and enforces conflict resolution. In addition, teachers make sure they monitor the learners’ progress as well. Distance educators need to take on multiple and merging roles. It requires that they be able to change with current times, trends, and advancements in technology. It may be hard to distinguish the instructor’s role in both kinds of environments, but it is paramount that these roles become more apparent in the future.
References:
Easton, S. S. (2003). Clarifying the instructor’s role online distance learning. Communication Education, 52 (2), 87-105. doi: 10.1080/0363452032000085072