Changing faculty use of technology – one cohort at a time
Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education
ISSN: 2050-7003
Article publication date: 23 September 2013
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop and assess a faculty development program targeted at pedagogically sound integration of technology by faculty into their courses.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper developed a program that combines a summer training institute and a yearlong faculty learning community. This program is supported by instructional technology and faculty development experts, and rewards the participants both with a stipend and with acknowledgement. To assess the effectiveness of this program, the paper used electronic anonymous surveys during the middle and end of the program.
Findings
Self-reported evaluations suggests that the alumni of the 2011-2012 cohort will continue to develop and adapt technologies in their course, and would encourage their colleagues to do the same. In addition, the majority report that the program has changed the way they see and use technology in the classroom. Additional observations about the program alumni's involvement in continuing efforts to improve teaching with technology indicate that this program may be having an effect beyond the individual participants.
Research limitations/implications
Assessment of the program was limited to only one year, and needs to continue to evaluate the program and the faculty after they leave the program.
Practical implications
This program provides a possible model to implement change at a university, on teaching with technology, or other teaching- and learning-related topics.
Originality/value
In a world where there are increasing expectations of technology in teaching, a successful model of faculty development which produces an increase in pedagogically sound faculty adoption of teaching technology is a valuable one to higher education.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Emily Grossnickle, Jing Guo, and John Stoneham for critical reading of the manuscript. We acknowledge the staff at the Learning Technologies Program at the Division of Information Technology for help in making STI a successful program. The STI program is supported by funding from the Office of Undergraduate Studies.
Citation
Kramer, S. and Benson, S. (2013), "Changing faculty use of technology – one cohort at a time", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 5 No. 2, pp. 202-221. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-11-2012-0036
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited