Educational Technology Competency Framework: Defining a Community of Practice Across Canada

Lyn Sonnenberg; Arif Onan; Douglas Archibald

doi:10.21432/cjlt27943

Authors

Lyn K. Sonnenberg University of Alberta http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9982-4282
Arif Onan Akdeniz University
Douglas Archibald University of Ottawa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21432/cjlt27943

Keywords:

education technology, framework, competency

Abstract

Post-secondary institutions need clarity regarding what their educational technology teams can offer. Educational technology is not simply a hammer that can be quickly utilized, but rather an instrument that needs to be tuned for each unique learning context. Using a modified Delphi approach, we validated an educational technology framework that highlights the necessary capabilities, competencies, and example activities needed in higher education across Canada, which moves away from traditional roles and responsibilities. This framework captures the need for teams to educate, collaborate, design, develop, administer, and lead within their institutions. It also highlights the revealed desire and need to create broader communities of practice and collaborations between various institutions. Educational technology teams themselves, when functioning optimally, will not only transform the academic experience for learners and teaching faculty, but they will ultimately shape the direction of higher education’s teaching and learning.

Author Biographies

Lyn K. Sonnenberg, University of Alberta

Lyn K. Sonnenberg has a passion for leading effective, future-ready teams and is the Associate Dean, Educational Innovation & Academic Technologies, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta, Canada. She is a practicing neurodevelopmental pediatrician and Vice-Chair of Developmental Pediatrics for the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada.

Arif Onan, Akdeniz University

Arif Onan is the Coordinator of Medical Simulation for the Faculty of Medicine and an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Education at the Akdeniz University, Turkey. His research interests are in interprofessional education, simulation-based learning, learning analytics, instructional design, and educational technology.

Douglas Archibald, University of Ottawa

Douglas Archibald is the Director of Research and Innovation and an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine with cross-appointments to the Department of Innovation in Medical Education and Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa, Canada. His research interests are in health professions education, programme evaluation and assessment, research methodology, and educational technology.

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