%0 Journal Article %T Fifty-One Competencies for Online Instruction %A Theodore C. Smith %J Journal of Educators Online %D 2005 %I Journal of Educators Online %X The effectiveness of distance learning must be measured in results¡ªquality learning. Learner-center programs and competent instructors are two oft-cited keys to success in higher education. Teaching online requires specific skill sets (competencies). This paper identifies and describes 51 competencies needed by online instructors and outlines an instructor-training program that satisfies 3 of the 24 benchmarks for excellence recommended by the Institute for Higher Education Policy. %U http://www.thejeo.com/Ted%20Smith%20Final.pdf