Personal learning environments and university teacher roles explored using Delphi

This paper presents the results of research using an online Delphi method, which aimed to explore university teacher roles and readiness for learner-centred pedagogy, driven by personal learning environments (PLEs). Using a modified Policy Delphi technique, a group of researchers worked with 34 international experts who are university teachers by profession, but who are currently associated with PLEs as PLE-practising teachers, researchers, and developers. A questionnaire based on the relevant literature published between 2006 and 2012 was developed to serve the panel as the starting point for the Delphi debate. This questionnaire sought Delphi experts’ consensus on the names and task descriptions of 36 university teacher roles categorized into five core competencies. During the three rounds of this study, the experts changed the names of many roles and modified their task descriptions. The study concluded by identifying the 28 roles on which the Delphi panel was able to reach a consensus. The results also revealed that the university teacher today is ready to carry out the new roles suggested by this study.

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