Learner and Instructor Roles

Learner and Instructor Roles
There are many options for the role that a student can assume; the same is true for an
instructor. Below is a list of roles from which learners and instructors can choose.
Apprentice
Builder
Learner Roles
Develops knowledge of a field by working in it under the direction
of an expert.
Constructs the knowledge products designed into an activity by the
instructor; the products could be discrete (e.g., a diagram, an
essay) or collective (e.g., a website, an e-portfolio).
Case Study
Worker
Analyzes case studies to identify and understand the underlying

principles and practices implicit in the cases.
Context Explorer
Gains an understanding of how others view a given issue or

problem by exploring the context they bring to the processtheir
facts, emotions, motives, personal standards, behaviors, etc.
Independent
Researcher
Uses a self-directed, systemic, discipline-based process to collect,

analyze, and interpret knowledge or information.
Laboratory
Researcher
Develops an understanding of research problems and issues by

devising and conducting experiments to prove or disprove
hypotheses.
Listener
Listens for details and concepts in order to increase his or her

knowledge.
Peer Mentor
Supports fellow learners over time by guiding / assisting them with

their development as learners (discipline-specific and / or general).
Peer Teacher
Gains a deeper understanding of a topic or field through the

preparation and interaction involved in teaching other students.
Publisher/
Broadcaster
Develops and distributes content (e.g., online self-publishing,

blogging, podcasting); may be formal, academic content or
informal content based on personal interest and/or academic
influences.
Answers questions and/or directs thinking based on his or her
discipline-based research; implicitly assumes a commitment to
sharing findings with a larger disciplinary community.
Scholar
Team Member
Writer
Works on projects and assignments as part of a team to learn

collaboratively.
Applies, analyzes, and/or synthesizes knowledge or information
through writing.
2005 Copyright EDUCAUSE
Architect
Consultant
Designer
Instructor Roles
Establishes a data or information structure of data from which a
student can work.
Answers or addresses a few major issues or concepts as an
expert.
Establishes an instructional framework that promotes learning.
Expert
Exhibits a history of creating new knowledge; knows an area or

field better than many others.
Explorer
Explores an issue, topic, discipline, etc., to develop/discover new

knowledge, either formally or informally.
Guide
Supports students in the learning process by providing cues,

promoting reflection, and strengthening insights; this may be a
meta-role underlying other roles (e.g., lecturer, reviewer, resource,
explorer).
Participates in student-led class sessions as someone trying to
learn from the material/approach designed and developed by the
student(s).
Learner
Lecturer
Presents knowledge and information to students via lectures/

presentations.
Publisher/
Broadcaster
Develops and distributes content (e.g., online self-publishing,

blogging, podcasting); may be formal, academic content or
informal content based on personal interest and/or academic
influences.
Resource
Functions as a source of information for a given body of

knowledge.
Reviewer
Critically evaluates and provides feedback on students work to

increase their understanding of a topic and / or field.
Role Model
Serves as an example to learners of a successful professional in a

field, a standing to which they might aspire themselves.
Scholar
Answers questions and/or directs thinking based on his or her

discipline-based research; implicitly assumes a commitment to
sharing findings with a larger disciplinary community.
Scientist
Systematically measures and evaluates well-defined questions or

issues and integrates the scientific knowledge gained into the
instructional process.
Speaker
Provides information about an issue or topic in a more general,

less structured or specific fashion than a lecturer.
Based on research conducted by 2004 NLII Fellow Jean Kreis
2005 Copyright EDUCAUSE

Learner and Instructor Roles

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Learner and Instructor Roles

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Learner and Instructor Roles

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Learner and Instructor Roles

Analyzes case studies to identify and understand the underlying

Gains an understanding of how others view a given issue or

Uses a self-directed, systemic, discipline-based process to collect,

Develops an understanding of research problems and issues by

Listens for details and concepts in order to increase his or her

Supports fellow learners over time by guiding / assisting them with

Gains a deeper understanding of a topic or field through the

Develops and distributes content (e.g., online self-publishing,

Works on projects and assignments as part of a team to learn

2005 Copyright EDUCAUSE

Exhibits a history of creating new knowledge; knows an area or

Explores an issue, topic, discipline, etc., to develop/discover new

Supports students in the learning process by providing cues,

Presents knowledge and information to students via lectures/

Develops and distributes content (e.g., online self-publishing,

Functions as a source of information for a given body of

Critically evaluates and provides feedback on students work to

Serves as an example to learners of a successful professional in a

Answers questions and/or directs thinking based on his or her

Systematically measures and evaluates well-defined questions or

Provides information about an issue or topic in a more general,

Based on research conducted by 2004 NLII Fellow Jean Kreis

2005 Copyright EDUCAUSE

You might also like