A Comprehensive Review of Key Competencies for Educators in Advancing Distance Learning in Higher Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14904088Keywords:
distance learning, higher education, skills, covid-19Abstract
This literature review investigates the essential competencies that educators must possess to improve distance learning in higher education institutions. The analysis encompasses a range of research articles, pinpointing critical skills in pedagogy, technology, design, management, and communication. The results underscore the significance of these competencies in fostering an enhanced learning experience for students in an online setting. By acquiring and refining these skills, educators can adeptly manage the shift to distance learning and promote positive outcomes for students in higher education.
Downloads
References
Baran, E., & Correia, A. P. (2014). A professional development framework for online teaching. TechTrends, 58(5), 95-101.
Bawane, J., & Spector, J. M. (2009). Prioritization of online instructor roles: implications for competency‐based teacher education programs. Distance Education, 30(3), 383–397. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587910903236536
Craddock, J., & Gunzelman, R. (2013). Creating WOW: Characteristics of successful online instruction and facilitation. The Journal of the Virtual Classroom, 26.
Gabriel, M. A., & Kaufield, K. J. (2008). Reciprocal mentorship: an effective support for online instructors. Mentoring & Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 16(3), 311–327. https://doi.org/10.1080/13611260802233480
Guasch, T., Alvarez, I., & Espasa, A. (2010). University teacher competencies in a virtual teaching/learning environment: Analysis of a teacher training experience. Teaching and Teacher Education, 26(2), 199-206.
Ibrahim, R., Norman, H., Nordin, N., & Mazin, K. A. (2020). Research trends in ICT and education: A systematic review of continuous professional development courses for online educators. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1529(4), 042060. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1529/4/042060
Newby, J., Eagleson, L., & Pfander, J. (2014). Quality matters: New roles for librarians using standards for online course design. Journal of library & Information Services in Distance Learning, 8(1-2), 32-44.
Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2011). The excellent online instructor: Strategies for professional development. Available at: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED516643.
Pelz, B. (2019). (MY) Three principles of effective online pedagogy. Online Learning, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v8i3.1819
Salter, G., & Hansen, S. (1999). Modelling new skills for online teaching. in Ascilite Proceedings. Brisbane.
Schmidt, S. W., Hodge, E. M., & Tschida, C. M. (2013). How university faculty members developed their online teaching skills (Vol. v14). Information Age Publishing, Inc.
Simonson, M., Zvacek, S. M., & Smaldino, S. (2019). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education. (7th ed.).
UNESCO (2020). Distance learning strategies in response to COVID-19 school closures. UNESCO COVID-19 Education Response, 2(1).
Wieland, N., & Kollias, L. (2020). Online learning before, during and after COVID-19: Observations over 20 Years. International Journal of Advanced Corporate Learning, 13(2).

Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
ARK
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. N. Roopsing Naik, J Bhaskar

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Research Articles in 'Social Science Journal for Advanced Research' are Open Access articles published under the Creative Commons CC BY License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. This license allows you to share – copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format. Adapt – remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.