Faculty Perceptions of Online Teaching at a Mid-Sized Liberal Arts University

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v24i3.2199

Keywords:

online teaching, liberal arts, faculty perceptions, incentives, barriers, mixed methods, survey

Abstract

This mixed-methods study examined faculty perceptions of online teaching at a mid-sized liberal arts university in order to understand faculty acceptance and participation in online teaching at the university. Seventy-nine participants responded to a survey that collected qualitative and quantitative data. Content analysis examined faculty perceptions of online teaching and identified six themes. An examination of 21 quantitative factors identified 17 factors reported by more than 50% of respondents to influence their decision to teach or not teach online. Study participants perceived online learning as attractive to students but they wanted any online courses carefully regulated, in part because online learning was seen as contrary to their teaching values. Participants were influenced by personal preferences but also the desire for robust faculty resources, and more effective technology and infrastructure. Implications and directions for future research were discussed.

Author Biographies

Dana L Shreaves, Pacific Lutheran University

Dana Shreaves, Ed.D.is an instructional designer in the Office of the Provost at Pacific Lutheran University. She provides instructional support for faculty and leads the university's initiatives to support online and blended teaching.

Yu-Hui Ching, Boise State University

Yu-Hui Ching, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Educational Technology at Boise State University, and teaches graduate level online courses on Instructional Design, Online Teaching for Adult Learners, and Evaluation. Her research interests include online teaching and learning, computer-supported collaborative learning, and problem solving in STEM education.

Lida Uribe-Florez, Boise State University

Lida J. Uribe-Flórez is an associate professor at Boise State University and the chair of the Educational Technology Department. She teaches research and leadership courses. Before Boise State University, she was a professor at New Mexico State University. She earned a Master’s degree in applied mathematics at the University of Puerto Rico (2001) and a Ph.D. degree in mathematics education at Virginia Tech (2009). Her research interest includes online education (eMentoring, advising and sense of community), teacher education (including teacher candidates and in-service teachers) as well as the use of tools to support learning in mathematics classrooms. Her work has been presented and published in several national and international venues.

Jesús Trespalacios, Boise State University

Jesús Trespalacios is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Technology at Boise State University. He teaches online graduate courses on instructional design and research methods. His scholarly activity includes online education, communities in online environments, and professional development for teachers. He earned his Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology from Virginia Tech.

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Published

2020-09-01

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 3 (2020)

Section

Section II

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