The CEDA Meta-Profession Project
SKILL SET by ROLE Interaction
SKILL SET:	Instructional Delivery
ROLE:	Distance Education (Teaching)
Definition or Description:	Distance Education or online instruction requires the use of a variety of information technologies. These technologies may include a computer, an interactive video studio or station, fax machines, VCR's, graphic tablets, etc. The instructor must be skilled in the use of any and all technology required in the distance education environment. In addition, if the distance education mode employs interactive video instruction one must also be proficient in the techniques involved in teaching to the camera, using 'chat' rooms, etc.
Comment:
Faculty Evaluation Implications:	In a faculty evaluation application, the evaluation of faculty performance in a distance education or an online setting should include measures of the effective use of the various technologies involved in delivering instruction. such evaluation may take the form of demonstrations or videotaped examples of the instructor's performance. Although the response rates of online student ratings has proven to be problematic, student rating data is still an important component of the overall evaluation of the faculty member. However, student rating forms designed for online or distance education instructional settings must take into account the unique characteristics of that environment and the instructor's performance within it.
Faculty Development Implications:	If distance education or online instruction is an active part of the curriculum faculty must be given the opportunity and resources to become proficient with the various forms of information technology used. This includes conducting training on how to teach in an interactive video classroom, how to use PowerPoint or Elmo mechanisms to delivery graphic information, etc.
Research Implications:	In order to determine if there is a difference in the effectiveness of the different technologies a study (or studies) could be designed to compare the impact of each technology on the level of student learning. For example, is interactive video better than videotape in training students to dissect a frog? Is an animated computer simulation more ffective?
Policy Implications:	The policies surrounding the interaction of instructional delivery with distance education revolve around several issues. Primary among these is the selection and training of faculty to teach in a distance education format. Also the issue of appropriate recompense for such teaching is a major concern. Policies in this arena must focus on 1) an analysis of the skills and talents necessary to teach in a particular distance education environment; 2) whether distance education teaching should be voluntary or assigned; 3) whether faculty should be selected based on their talents and skills or selected by content expertise and trained to teach in the distance education environment; and 4) whether teaching via distance education technology should be considered as a special service requiring extra pay, or whether it should be considered simply another teaching assignment that falls within the normal teaching load requirement.
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