Learner characteristics and competencies

Abstract

The advances in technology and the demand for open, distance, and digital education redefined the characteristics and competencies of learners in these learning environments. Although technology ownership and access to an Internet connection are growing worldwide, there is still a significant number of learners in need of a computer and Internet access to benefit from the advantages offered by new learning environments. As a result, the obstacles in technology ownership and access put a group of learners from a low socioeconomic status and minorities in a disadvantaged position and prevent them from engaging in learning experiences. Indirectly, these learners also struggle to develop digital competencies due to their limited access to technology-rich environments. This chapter elaborates on the characteristics of learners in open, distance, and digital education environments with respect to their technology ownership and access, presents a number of competency frameworks, and discusses how the competencies included in the frameworks apply to open, distance, and digital education. The chapter opens with the role of technology in new learning environments and how technology ownership and access vary among certain demographics as well as developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries. The introduction is followed by learner characteristics with respect to varying technology access and ownership among demographics and the implications of technology ownership and access for open, distance, and digital education. Finally, a number of competency frameworks were presented and discussed in regard to their contributions to the development of a competency set for learners in open, distance, and digital education environments.