Wiley Handbook of Learning Technology

13Competencies for Designers, Instructors, and Online Learners

Barbara L. Grabowski, Michael Beaudoin, and Tiffany A. Koszalka

13.1 Introduction

Designers, instructors, and learners are faced with a technological revolution that has dramatically changed society and with it the learning process and the types of digital tools that can be used in learning. Designing, instructing, or learning in this new learning landscape presents increased responsibilities and challenges to developing and maintaining competence in these three skill areas beyond what was expected just a few years ago.

Evolving learning processes, often enabled by emerging digital technology, globalization, and increased knowledge about human learning, makes possible socially connected and highly engaged learning opportunities for new types of learners. This phenomenon has contributed to increased attention to what is referred to as e-Competency, which Schneckenberg (2007) defines as the ability to use technology for teaching and learning in meaningful ways. Thus, designing, instructing, or learning strategy decisions should be informed by current understanding of evolving pedagogy, digital learning tools, and learner characteristics.

In this chapter we discuss standards of performance, followed by current issues affecting learning technology, and finally blend them together to inform competent practice as a designer, instructor, and online learner.

13.2 Standards of Performance

Many benchmarks or standards of performance ...