Well-recognized experts in distance education: Code of ethics and professional practice

Abstract

The main purpose of this chapter is to define, analyze, and discuss the qualifications of distance education experts to comprehend the relation between distance education knowledge and exceptional performance in action. The key focuses are the following: (a) Who are the distance education experts in action? (b) What are the main behavioral, social, cognitive, and emotional characteristics of distance education experts? (c) What are the main critical and creative skills of distance education experts? (d) What is the main professional knowledge of distance education experts? and (e) What are the main intellectual and distinguishing characteristics of distance education experts? The overall objectives and mission of this chapter are to carefully define distance education experts based on the current and future trends, needs, and priorities, which affect and modify the development of distance education experts in a postmodem world; we need to learn how to break down the digital walls. Past and future developments must be considered in order to devise a unique, open, and democratic system of distance education through management, communication, pedagogy, technology, and evaluation in the education system. There is an urgent need to define and discuss distance education experts recognized as a reliable resource of techniques and skills