ECompetence as a core competence for academic staff

Abstract

The implementation of e-learning in higher education has extended in the last few years but it is still not a common standard at universities and colleges. One of the main reasons for this situation is the lack of teachers' knowledge and skills in their role as 'gatekeepers' for the integration of new aspects in the teachings (Pelgrum, 2001; Goodwin and Oyler, 2008). Academic staff needs to acquire competences concerning digital technologies as well as pedagogical competences to renew university teachings. Due to the fact that the enhancement of competences is a lifelong learning process and because of the permanent development of educational technologies, there will always be a need for professional staff development programmes that enable long-term learning processes. This paper explores important aspects of competencyoriented qualification programmes for academic staff and it is focused on the cooperation between members of different faculties as a basis for successful staff development with sustainable effects. Copyright © 2010 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.