Just what is a 'Learning Technologist'

Learning technologists form a link between the academic or teacher and the technologies available to to enhance the learning experience. Whilst it would be nice to think that educator has the time to take each lesson and consider how technology can be used to enrich it, in reality their time is taken up mainly performing the role of teaching.

In practice this profession has grown as the tools have developed and in many ways teachers that have experimented or tried to keep up to date with new methods have gradually introduced the technologies as part of their own personal development. In essence what I am trying to say is that many educators are in fact learning technologists. It is now apparent that there is a role for someone with knowledge of the technologies to call themselves a 'Learning Technologist', but I would expect that most come from the teaching environment.

Its only now that tools are becoming more commercialised that there would appear to be a need for a specialist with a much wider knowledge to help the educator. My experience of this so far has been that the tools have been selected and put in place and the teaching staff have been left to put the tools to use.

I believe it is an emergent profession but at the moment it is really an additional task for an educator to take on board and utilise the tools available as they see fit.

CA 5.2 - Definitions 'elearning professionals'

profession
A skill requiring specialised theory based knowledge, this skill is then used in order to receive financial reward. The more difficult or specialised the task the more reward can be expected.

elearning
Learning using electronic applications via the Internet or a standalone computer. Elearning applications can include audio, video, social websites, electronic conferences webpages wikis blogs etc the list goes on.

elearning professional
An elearning professional is someone who is aware of the technologies and practices available for the implementation of learning in an electronic manner. They engage in reflective practice with other elearning practitioners in order to further develop good practice and enhance the learning experience for the student.