what is a distance educator?
DESCRIPTION
Presentation that discusses the job roles of distance educators in today's job market. Also discusses venues for professional developmentTRANSCRIPT
What is a distance educator?
Master of Distance Education Graduate School of Management & Technology
University of Maryland University College
What are the core roles of distance educators?
Instructional designer
• course development
• curriculum development
Consultant
• advice
• audit
Teacher
• pedagogy
• delivery
Administrator
• staffing
• planning
• operational control
IT specialist
• media
• infrastructure
Here is one possibility…
Core roles and distance educator jobs match? Not necessarily… Needs of the market are still blurred Professionals come with diverse
backgrounds Professional development is not yet
standardized The professional is not yet fully known
within many rising markets
Defining the Dist. Educator… We can use core roles to define sample
jobs Combinations vary immensely
Each core role contributes with a subset of competencies, that together define a specific D.Educator job Let’s see some examples…
IT specialist
Consultant Administrator
D.Educator
The all-around jack-of-all-trades
Consultant Administrator IT specialist
DEducator
The Instructional Designer in IT
Consultant Administrator IT specialist
DEducator
The Instructional Designer in the academic department
Consultant Administrator IT specialist
DEducator
The Faculty Member
Consultant
Administrator
IT specialist
DEducator
The D.E. Unit Manager
Consultant Administrator IT specialist DEducator
The IT Manager
Consultant
Administrator
IT specialist DEducator
The IT Support Specialist
What are the general knowledge areas for these groups of professionals? IT / Network / HW & SW training Management theory & practice Student Support Services Technology management Distance Education Systems Cost Analysis and Economics of D.E. Course Development and Instructional Design Multimedia / Web-based instruction Faculty training and development The Business of DE
Where can these professionals get their necessary training? Short courses
State University of West Georgia Many others…
Certificate programs Wisconsin UMUC BOU University of South Africa
Where can these professionals get their necessary training? Masters degree programs
UMUC Athabasca University (Canada) California State University at Hayward University of Phoenix Capela University Nova Southeastern Walden BOU (UK) University of Southern Queensland (AUS) George Washington University Florida State University
Where can these professionals get their necessary training? PhD programs
Athabasca Nova Southeastern Walden
Where can one get information about job availability for DEducators? The Chronicle of Higher Education E-learning Jobs University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) The e-Learning Guild USDLA Higher Ed Jobs MDE Job Board
What is the “market” for distance education professionals? Academic DE director / DE Director DE coordinator Instructional Designer Online Faculty Trainer Development Manager Director of Training Assistant Dean for DE
So… What will be the job of a DEducator in…
5 years? 10 years?
IT specialist
Consultant Administrator
D.Educator
In 5 years: The generalist…
IT specialist
Consultant Administrator
D.Educator
In 10 years: The generalist…
Thanks! Any questions?