Explaining the professional competencies of instructors in the e-learning environment

The purpose of this study is to illustrate the professional competencies of instructors in the e-learning environment.

Recent research is a descriptive and analytical study. In the qualitative level, Delphi method was used in the presence of some experts to identify the dimensions and competency components and making decisions to reach consensus. In the quantitative level, a researcher-made questionnaire including 71 questions was used to collect data. The t-test and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were applied to check the data.

In the present study, the six main dimensions of the instructors ’competencies including dimensions of social, ethical, organizational, individual, technical, pedagogical and evaluation and also nineteen sub-components are investigated. Based on the findings, seventeen competency components had an average higher than the expected mean. According to achieved data, the highest factor loading is related to the pedagogical dimension and the lowest factor loading is the individual dimension.

Recognized competencies in this study can be useful to design the career development plans and determination of the training needs for education courses with high quality. This leads to the development of the instructors’ competencies in order to perform their right roles and competencies in the e-learning environment.