Abstract
Online learning is part of the future of education; however, teachers are not entirely equipped to deal with online teaching as yet. The world of the classroom, where face-to-face teaching and learning occurs may appear similar, but the online world has characteristics and nuances that are not found in the classroom. The mode of delivery is different, and the focus is on digital mediums as a means of delivery, while the classroom setup is more personal and physical. Teachers must adapt to the online world and apply different methods to ensure effective teaching and learning. This study aimed to investigate the skills and competencies teachers require to enhance teaching and learning; a secondary aim was to investigate how teachers can enhance self-directed learning (SDL) in learners. The study was qualitative in nature, based on an exploratory design, and semi-structured interviews served as the data collection instrument. The participants consisted of 10 teachers who teach online; these participants were selected via a purposive sampling method. The study found that the following skills and competencies are necessary: technical skills, communication, flexibility, adaptability, organisation, time management, learner engagement, assessment, feedback, community building, technical troubleshooting, and problem-solving. To enhance the SDL in learners, teachers should improve learners' engagement and collaborative learning, promoting learner autonomy, providing resources, and incorporating self-assessment and peer assessment methods to support SDL. This study heard the voices of teachers, and it is recommended that future studies related to SDL must include the learners' voices to gain another perspective.