ERIC Number: EJ920734
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Feb
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1492-3831
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Isolation of Online Adjunct Faculty and Its Impact on Their Performance
Dolan, Vera
International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, v12 n2 p62-77 Feb 2011
Using a grounded theory qualitative research approach, this article examines the experiences of 28 adjunct faculty members who work at the same university, exploring their views on whether periodically meeting face-to-face with management and peers has the potential to affect their motivation on the job and consequently the quality of education they provide to students. A few management representatives also shared their perspectives on the phenomenon; this enabled the researcher to compare the views of these two populations on whether face-to-face contact among faculty enhances teaching performance. The results of this study suggest a few issues that online schools must address in their efforts to improve adjuncts' sense of affiliation and loyalty to their institution, which in turn will positively affect student retention levels. The main issues of concern to adjunct faculty are (a) inadequate frequency and depth of communication, regardless of the means used, whether online or face-to-face; (b) lack of recognition of instructors' value to the institution; and (c) lack of opportunities for skill development.
Descriptors: Adjunct Faculty, Online Courses, Grounded Theory, Qualitative Research, Administrator Attitudes, Faculty College Relationship, Teacher Motivation, Professional Isolation, Skill Development, Faculty Development, Organizational Communication, Professional Recognition, Teacher Persistence
Athabasca University. 1200, 10011 - 109 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3S8, Canada. Tel: 780-421-2536; Fax: 780-497-3416; e-mail: irrodl@athabascau.ca; Web site: http://www.irrodl.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A