What Does it Take to Be a Distance Learning Coordinator?
Coordinate day‑to‑day operations of distance learning programs and schedule courses.
Responsibilities
- Conduct inventories of distance learning equipment and summarize usage data.
- Train instructors and distance learning staff in the use and support of distance learning applications, such as course management software.
- Prepare and manage distance learning program budgets.
- Negotiate with academic units, instructors, and vendors to ensure cost‑effective, high‑quality distance learning services or courses.
- Communicate technical or marketing information about distance learning via podcasts, webinars, and other technologies.
- Prepare and distribute schedules of distance learning resources, such as course offerings, classrooms, laboratories, equipment, and websites.
Key Skills
- Active Listening – giving full attention, understanding points, asking questions, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Writing – communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the audience.
- Speaking – conveying information effectively through oral communication.
- Critical Thinking – using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternatives or solutions.
- Learning Strategies – selecting and using instructional methods and procedures appropriate when learning or teaching new things.
- Reading Comprehension – understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work‑related documents.
Common Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook, Access, Publisher
- Microsoft Office suite
- HTML, XML
- Web browsers
- Learning management systems such as Blackboard
- Adobe Acrobat, Flash, Dreamweaver
- YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn
- SAP, Oracle PeopleSoft