Faculty training and development in digital transformation

Developments in digital technologies in the 21st century provide institutions in many sectors with significant opportunities to fulfill their missions more effectively. Higher education is no exception. Yet, higher education institutions can only benefit from these opportunities through a holistic digital transformation. Within this perspective, the aim of this study is to develop a professional development and training model that will enhance the digital competences of the instructors who are one of the main actors of the education system. To this end, a multi-phase mixed methods research was conducted. In the first phase, the professional development needs of the instructors towards digital transformation were investigated, and the results revealed that the priority needs of the instructors for digital transformation were related to the use of digital technologies in education and digital content production. In the second phase, a HybridMOOC was designed and implemented based on these findings. It was found that the designed course was partially suitable for meeting this need, and a training that would be designed as an xMOOC would be more appropriate in the Turkish contex. According to the findings obtained through questionnaires, interviews and observation, the training increased the awareness of the faculty on the subject. However, in order to implement what they have acquired, faculty also need advanced trainings supported by hands-on applications specific to their fields of science. Based on the findings synthetized with the theoretical lens of system approach, adult education theory and transformative learning theory, in order to achieve the projected transformation, a comprehensive initiative shaped by national policies, supported by institutional strategies, including award-incentive, support services, training and evaluation processes should be started and sustained. Keywords: Digital Transformation, Higher Education, Faculty, Professional Development, Systems Approach, Massive Open Online Courses