5. Specialist Area

Purpose: As well as the core areas, Candidates are required to demonstrate evidence of independent practice in one or more specialist options. This reflects the fact that, although there are common areas of work in this area, practice is extremely diverse and everyone specialises in something different.

Your chosen specialist option might be defined by your manger, your professional body or your own personal interests. You can also define your own specialist topics if none of the recommendations here reflect your role and interests. However, when doing this, you should keep in mind that such areas should be specialist – that is, they should not be things that the majority of practitioners in this area would do.

Here are some examples of combinations that might be appropriate.

For a materials developer in a small company: 4 core areas + specialism: producing learning materials/courseware.

For an HE/FE learning technologist: 4 core areas + specialism: project management + specialism: VLE administration and maintenance.

For staff developers with interest in technology: 4 core areas + specialism: organisational change + specialism: collaborative online learning.

Here is an indicative list of possible specialist options:

• producing learning materials/content/courseware;
• project management, including resource management;
• training, mentoring and developing others;
• evaluating projects;
• research;
• management/administration of a sustainable e-learning process;
• supporting and tutoring learners;
• designing tools and systems;
• institutional development/strategic work;
• knowledge and application of emerging standards for learning technology;
• assistive technologies;
• using technology for research;
• VLE administration and maintenance;
• interface design;
• distance learning/blended learning/e-learning;
• database design and use;
• managing and sourcing content;
• copyright;
• learner support;
• teaching with technology;
• accessibility;
• sustainability;
• inclusive learning practice.

NB: In describing your specialism you (or your employer) should refer to the values listed at the top of these guidelines. Because these are specialist options you should be clear what makes your work distinct from common practice; many people use databases, for example, but designing specific relational databases with tailored reports that are interoperable with the institution’s Managed Learning Environment might be considered specialist. Similarly, many teachers provide blended learning, but developing and sharing guidelines for such practice or working with a distinctive blend of contexts might distinguish your work as specialist.

Evidence for your specialist activity is likely to be very specific but could include: