Online Instructor Voices: A Qualitative Study on Perceptions of Practice
PROCEEDING
Cynthia Sistek-Chandler, National University, United States ; Michael Myers, National University, Private Non-Profit University Sanford College of Education, United States
E-Learn: World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States ISBN 978-1-939797-45-2 Publisher: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), San Diego, CA
Abstract
This study presents a qualitative analysis of data to help understand online teacher presence, self-perceptions, and experiences of faculty who are teaching online at a large adult learner University. Historically, online programs have been designed to facilitate high quality teaching to an adult learner population by combining elements of both synchronous to an asynchronous instruction. Decades of work on online learning has shown significant learning gains when students learn online. In this study, instructors were asked to describe their online teacher presence and experiences. A total of four focus groups were conducted with 19 faculty participants online using a web based conferencing tool (Zoom) to capture their voices. The transcripts from participants’ comments were analyzed qualitatively using a phenomenological method of inquiry. This analysis resulted in a narrative integration of significant statements, formulated meanings, and a cluster of themes. The themes centered around being present, making a positive impact, establishing connections with students, and related a sense of power through the interactive dynamics. These themes described behaviors that resulted in empowerment of faculty online presence and promoted a pathway to an understanding of teacher presence in online instruction.
Citation
Sistek-Chandler, C. & Myers, M. (2019). Online Instructor Voices: A Qualitative Study on Perceptions of Practice. In S. Carliner (Ed.), Proceedings of E-Learn: World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education (pp. 1163-1168). New Orleans, Louisiana, United States: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved March 19, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/211198/.
© 2019 Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)