Developing the Digital Competencies of Instructors in the Process of Distance Education

Abstract

The general purpose of this study is to improve the digital competencies of the instructors in distance education through a professional development program. It was also intended to identify the efficiency of the professional development program designed and implemented with regards to this general purpose. An embedded mixed design, one of the mixed research models, was used. The participants in the research are the instructors working in all faculties, colleges and vocational schools in a public university. In the research, a needs analysis was conducted initially to determine the areas in which instructors need the most support in distance education. In this context, a professional development program regarding "Course Design in Distance Education" and "Web 2.0 Tools and Application Samples" was prepared for the instructors. This professional development program was implemented and evaluated. As a result of this process, it was determined that the majority of the instructors needed training on Web 2.0 tools and applications, instructional design in distance education, and methods and techniques appropriate for distance education. It was concluded that the professional development program prepared in line with the needs analysis conducted within the scope of the research had a positive effect on the self-efficacy perceptions of the instructors towards distance education. In the research, suggestions were made to increase the quality of the teaching service during the distance education process.