Best Practices in Online Faculty Management: Strategies and Case Studies

Abstract

Implementing effective strategies for the management of online faculty contributes to the experience of online students by ensuring that faculty are prepared to facilitate courses in a manner in which students are engaged and learning outcomes are attained. Additionally, faculty management impacts the experience of online faculty by reducing isolation; providing direction, feedback, and development; and implementing rewards and recognition to increase satisfaction and engagement. Further, best practices for online faculty management impact administrators by improving the learning outcomes of programs and departments, increasing student retention, reducing faculty attrition rates, and building institutional community. Employing best practices for the management of online faculty serves to create efficiencies and improve operations. This chapter will present best practices for faculty recruitment that aim to reduce the potential for bias and increase collaborative decision making. Additionally, key aspects of effective online faculty training will be discussed, in the context of relevant literature. Further, guidelines for the delivery of engaging professional development in the virtual space will be provided. Best practices for supervision and evaluation will be explored, including expectation setting, regular feedback, and formal assessment procedures. The aforementioned facets of online faculty management will be examined through an analysis of six case studies, based on initiatives that were implemented for the online campus of a small university.

Citation

Dennis, M. and Fornero, S. (2021), "Best Practices in Online Faculty Management: Strategies and Case Studies", Hoffman, J. and Blessinger, P. (Ed.) International Perspectives in Online Instruction (Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Vol. 40), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 55-68. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120210000040004