Looking Out and Looking In : Exploring a Case of Faculty Perceptions During E-Learning Staff Development
Hendrik Daniël Esterhuizen, Seugnet Blignaut, and Suria Ellis (not shown)
North-West University, South Africa
Abstract
This explorative study captured the perceptions of faculty members new to technology enhanced learning and the longitudinal observations of the e-learning manager during dedicated professional development in order to compile a socially transformative emergent learning technology integration framework for open and distance learning at the School of Continuing Teacher Education at North-West University, South Africa. A pragmatic approach guided the bounded case study. The study followed a fully mixed sequential equal status design of mixing sequential qualitative and quantitative findings. Data collection strategies concern a custom-made questionnaire, interviews with faculty members, and longitudinal observations by the e-learning manager. The first phase uncovered 34 qualitative codes. After quantitating of the data, a t-test indicated significant differences for 17 variables between faculty perceptions and observations of the e-learning manager. Ward’s method of Euclidean distances grouped the variables into five clusters according to the researchers’ paradigm of looking in and looking out from the development context. The clusters formed the basis of a model for faculty development towards socially transformative learning technology integration for open distance learning. The five aspects of the model comprise (i) the environment in which faculty members should gain support from the institution; (ii) the environment in which faculty have to address the realities of adopting TEL; (iii) human factors relating to the adoption of TEL; (iv) concerns and reservations about the use of TEL; and (v) continuing professional development needs, expectations, and motivators. The sustainable integration of ICT into higher education institutions remains a major challenge for the adoption of TEL.
Keywords: Technology enhanced learning (TEL); teacher training; professional development; mixed methods research; interactive white boards; developing context; technophobia
Introduction
Spotts (1999) identifies five significant e-learning variables, the learner, faculty, technology, environment, and perceived value, in an effort to obtain information beneficial to faculty development of technology enhanced learning (TEL). However, implementing
e-Learning could be a highly disruptive technology for education—if we allow it to be...if there is to be innovation and change in university teaching—as the new technology requires, as the knowledge economy requires, and as students demand—someone has to take responsibility for it. Who should that be, other than the university academic community? (Laurillard, 2006, p. 5)
These statements indicate that the final successes of implementing TEL at higher education institutions (HEIs) are to a great extent in the hands of faculty members. However, in many cases, faculty members require intensive pedagogical, knowledge, and skills training to make a real difference in the deposition of their learners.
Utilizing the potential of IT in educational practice often implies that the role of the teacher has to change. Faculty not only has to learn IT basic knowledge and skills, but more importantly, has to learn appropriate pedagogical skills to be able to integrate IT in a sound way into educational practice. (Voogt & Knezek, 2008, p. xxxiii)
More than simple knowledge of technology is required to produce good teaching. Exemplary teaching combines skillful use of technology, embedding key elements into course design (Wilson, 2003). This paper explores the lived experiences of faculty in a developing context while they for the first time engage with TEL.
Context of the Study
This paper forms part of a larger investigation to establish a socially transformative emergent learning technology integration framework for open and distance learning (ODL) at the School of Continuing Teacher Education (SCTE) at North-West University (NWU) (Esterhuizen & Blignaut, 2011; Esterhuizen, Blignaut, Ellis, & Els, 2012). It explores with the aim to understand the lived experiences of faculty at a developingODL unit and subsequently forms part of the cyclic process of data gathering in which emerging themes initiate further data gathering cycles.
The SCTE employs few learning technologies to teach and support students within an ODL model of course delivery. These include compact disc read only memory (CDROM), short message service (SMS), and interactive white boards (IWBs). To enable students’ participation in the information society, teacher training should include use of information communication technology (ICT). Faculty require competence in ICT use to enable their learners to develop their full potential. ICT can be a vehicle to personalise learning, provide access to information, provide flexibility regarding time, place, and pace of learning, and enable collaboration and continued study even while working full time (Ally, 2009; UNESCO, 2002).
The South African Government’s White Paper on e-Education (Department of Education, 2004) demands a definite outcome of ICT mastery as a matter of urgency in teacher training and teachers should have access to in-service training on how to integrate ICTs into teaching and learning. The e-Education White Paper acknowledges the backlog in its e-learning expectations and calls for development actions in this regard:
Many teachers have grown up in an environment that had less electronic technology available, and thus find the adaptation to working with ICT more difficult than their learners. A programme that urgently addresses the competencies of teachers to use ICT for their personal work, in their classrooms, should be developed. This will require extensive staff development and support. Thus, ICT will be central to the pre-service training of recruits and the on-going professional development of practising teachers. (Department of Education, 2004, p. 22)
The perceptions of faculty members as the enablers of adoption are atthe heart of this exploration. The SCTE acknowledges the requirement for the advancement of e-learning in the development of a learning technology integration framework. It is necessary for teachers in training at the SCTE to adopt e-learning using ICT. Teachers’ adoption of technology is influenced by both the quantity and quality of experiences with technology (Moolman & Blignaut, 2008) included in their teacher education programs (Agyei & Voogt, 2011).
The SCTE is in the process of evolving from paper-based distance education deliveryto adopting TEL as part of ODL. In order to advance from physically travelling to lecture at one tuition center at a time to reaching remote facilitators and students simultaneously at 39 tuition centers across Southern Africa, the SCTE introduced synchronous computer mediated conferencing using interactive whiteboards (IWBs) at tuition centers. Faculty training in the use of IWBs necessitates competencies both in the area of technology use and in managing synchronous computer-mediated communication learning.developing faculty
Literature Review
Distance education endeavours to expand access to education through the mass production of teaching and course materials, often largely based upon one-way transmission of information with little chance for sustained interaction. The face-to-face lecture is still viewed as the most efficient and dominant medium of instruction in higher education. However, “communications technology that supports sustained interaction is having a significant impact in higher education—both on-campus and at a distance” (Anderson & Garrison, 1998, p. 97). Wilson (2003) indicates that some of the reasons for using technology in teaching and learning are that it could improve student learning, benefit students in their research and communication, foster independent learning, provide access to worldwide resources, and improve career choices. Schneckenberg, Ehlers, and Adelsberger (2011) indicate that, in many cases, faculty concerns for their students motivate them to walk the extra mile of implementing TEL for the benefit of their students—a concern often more powerful than personal financial considerations.Faculty unaccustomed to using technology in their teaching and learning—because they did not grow up with the technology, or have not personally tried out the technology—cannot draw from their lived experiences, or from their recent introduction to the technology. Faculty have to first-hand experience the affordances of learning technologies to effectively use them during teaching and learning. Faculty professional development is essential to introduce them to new technologies, ensure smooth adoption, and provide experience with the technology. However, successful faculty development interventions (i.e., ones that encourage faculty to adopt new technologies) should not only focus on the mechanical and technical aspects of TEL, but also place emphasis on appropriate pedagogy, address individual teaching beliefs, provide real life interaction as their online students would, and contextualize the professional development in terms of the local needs of the faculty. It is important to focus first on pedagogy and then on technology when training faculty, as well as when faculty adopt technology for student learning (Simpson, 2002).
Looking Out and Looking In : Exploring a Case of Faculty Perceptions During E-Learning Staff Development
Hendrik Daniël Esterhuizen, Seugnet Blignaut, and Suria Ellis (not shown)
North-West University, South Africa
Abstract
This explorative study captured the perceptions of faculty members new to technology enhanced learning and the longitudinal observations of the e-learning manager during dedicated professional development in order to compile a socially transformative emergent learning technology integration framework for open and distance learning at the School of Continuing Teacher Education at North-West University, South Africa. A pragmatic approach guided the bounded case study. The study followed a fully mixed sequential equal status design of mixing sequential qualitative and quantitative findings. Data collection strategies concern a custom-made questionnaire, interviews with faculty members, and longitudinal observations by the e-learning manager. The first phase uncovered 34 qualitative codes. After quantitating of the data, a t-test indicated significant differences for 17 variables between faculty perceptions and observations of the e-learning manager. Ward’s method of Euclidean distances grouped the variables into five clusters according to the researchers’ paradigm of looking in and looking out from the development context. The clusters formed the basis of a model for faculty development towards socially transformative learning technology integration for open distance learning. The five aspects of the model comprise (i) the environment in which faculty members should gain support from the institution; (ii) the environment in which faculty have to address the realities of adopting TEL; (iii) human factors relating to the adoption of TEL; (iv) concerns and reservations about the use of TEL; and (v) continuing professional development needs, expectations, and motivators. The sustainable integration of ICT into higher education institutions remains a major challenge for the adoption of TEL.
Keywords: Technology enhanced learning (TEL); teacher training; professional development; mixed methods research; interactive white boards; developing context; technophobia
Introduction
Spotts (1999) identifies five significant e-learning variables, the learner, faculty, technology, environment, and perceived value, in an effort to obtain information beneficial to faculty development of technology enhanced learning (TEL). However, implementing
e-Learning could be a highly disruptive technology for education—if we allow it to be...if there is to be innovation and change in university teaching—as the new technology requires, as the knowledge economy requires, and as students demand—someone has to take responsibility for it. Who should that be, other than the university academic community? (Laurillard, 2006, p. 5)
These statements indicate that the final successes of implementing TEL at higher education institutions (HEIs) are to a great extent in the hands of faculty members. However, in many cases, faculty members require intensive pedagogical, knowledge, and skills training to make a real difference in the deposition of their learners.
Utilizing the potential of IT in educational practice often implies that the role of the teacher has to change. Faculty not only has to learn IT basic knowledge and skills, but more importantly, has to learn appropriate pedagogical skills to be able to integrate IT in a sound way into educational practice. (Voogt & Knezek, 2008, p. xxxiii)
More than simple knowledge of technology is required to produce good teaching. Exemplary teaching combines skillful use of technology, embedding key elements into course design (Wilson, 2003). This paper explores the lived experiences of faculty in a developing context while they for the first time engage with TEL.
Context of the Study
This paper forms part of a larger investigation to establish a socially transformative emergent learning technology integration framework for open and distance learning (ODL) at the School of Continuing Teacher Education (SCTE) at North-West University (NWU) (Esterhuizen & Blignaut, 2011; Esterhuizen, Blignaut, Ellis, & Els, 2012). It explores with the aim to understand the lived experiences of faculty at a developingODL unit and subsequently forms part of the cyclic process of data gathering in which emerging themes initiate further data gathering cycles.
The SCTE employs few learning technologies to teach and support students within an ODL model of course delivery. These include compact disc read only memory (CDROM), short message service (SMS), and interactive white boards (IWBs). To enable students’ participation in the information society, teacher training should include use of information communication technology (ICT). Faculty require competence in ICT use to enable their learners to develop their full potential. ICT can be a vehicle to personalise learning, provide access to information, provide flexibility regarding time, place, and pace of learning, and enable collaboration and continued study even while working full time (Ally, 2009; UNESCO, 2002).
The South African Government’s White Paper on e-Education (Department of Education, 2004) demands a definite outcome of ICT mastery as a matter of urgency in teacher training and teachers should have access to in-service training on how to integrate ICTs into teaching and learning. The e-Education White Paper acknowledges the backlog in its e-learning expectations and calls for development actions in this regard:
Many teachers have grown up in an environment that had less electronic technology available, and thus find the adaptation to working with ICT more difficult than their learners. A programme that urgently addresses the competencies of teachers to use ICT for their personal work, in their classrooms, should be developed. This will require extensive staff development and support. Thus, ICT will be central to the pre-service training of recruits and the on-going professional development of practising teachers. (Department of Education, 2004, p. 22)
The perceptions of faculty members as the enablers of adoption are atthe heart of this exploration. The SCTE acknowledges the requirement for the advancement of e-learning in the development of a learning technology integration framework. It is necessary for teachers in training at the SCTE to adopt e-learning using ICT. Teachers’ adoption of technology is influenced by both the quantity and quality of experiences with technology (Moolman & Blignaut, 2008) included in their teacher education programs (Agyei & Voogt, 2011).
The SCTE is in the process of evolving from paper-based distance education deliveryto adopting TEL as part of ODL. In order to advance from physically travelling to lecture at one tuition center at a time to reaching remote facilitators and students simultaneously at 39 tuition centers across Southern Africa, the SCTE introduced synchronous computer mediated conferencing using interactive whiteboards (IWBs) at tuition centers. Faculty training in the use of IWBs necessitates competencies both in the area of technology use and in managing synchronous computer-mediated communication learning.developing faculty
Literature Review
Distance education endeavours to expand access to education through the mass production of teaching and course materials, often largely based upon one-way transmission of information with little chance for sustained interaction. The face-to-face lecture is still viewed as the most efficient and dominant medium of instruction in higher education. However, “communications technology that supports sustained interaction is having a significant impact in higher education—both on-campus and at a distance” (Anderson & Garrison, 1998, p. 97). Wilson (2003) indicates that some of the reasons for using technology in teaching and learning are that it could improve student learning, benefit students in their research and communication, foster independent learning, provide access to worldwide resources, and improve career choices. Schneckenberg, Ehlers, and Adelsberger (2011) indicate that, in many cases, faculty concerns for their students motivate them to walk the extra mile of implementing TEL for the benefit of their students—a concern often more powerful than personal financial considerations.
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Looking Out and Looking In : Exploring a Case of Faculty Perceptions During E-Learning Staff Development
Hendrik Daniël Esterhuizen, Seugnet Blignaut, and Suria Ellis (not shown)
North-West University, South Africa
Abstract
This explorative study captured the perceptions of faculty members new to technology enhanced learning and the longitudinal observations of the e-learning manager during dedicated professional development in order to compile a socially transformative emergent learning technology integration framework for open and distance learning at the School of Continuing Teacher Education at North-West แอฟริกาใต้ เป็นวิธีการปฏิบัติที่จำกัดกรณีศึกษาแนวทาง . การศึกษาตามแบบผสมครบ ฐานะเทียบเท่าแบบผสมแบบเชิงปริมาณและเชิงคุณภาพ ผลการวิจัยพบว่า กลยุทธ์เกี่ยวกับแบบสอบถาม เก็บรวบรวมข้อมูลโดยการสัมภาษณ์และสังเกต โดยคณาจารย์ และ e-learning ผู้จัดการ ขั้นตอนแรกเปิดรหัสคุณภาพ 34 .หลังจาก quantitating ของข้อมูลการทดสอบพบความแตกต่างระหว่างคณะ 17 ตัวแปรการรับรู้และสังเกตของอีเลิร์นนิ่ง ผู้จัดการ วิธีผู้ป่วยของ ใช้ระยะทางแบ่งตัวแปรออกเป็น 5 กลุ่มตามที่นักวิจัย ' กระบวนทัศน์ของมองและมองออกไปจากบริบทการพัฒนา The clusters formed the basis of a model for faculty development towards socially transformative learning technology integration for open distance learning. The five aspects of the model comprise (i) the environment in which faculty members should gain support from the institution; (ii) the environment in which faculty have to address the realities of adopting TEL;( 3 ) ปัจจัยที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการยอมรับของมนุษย์เรา ( IV ) เกี่ยวข้องกับการจองเกี่ยวกับการใช้โทรศัพท์ และ 5 ) การพัฒนาวิชาชีพอย่างต่อเนื่องความต้องการ ความคาดหวัง และแรงจูงใจ . อย่างบูรณาการเทคโนโลยีสารสนเทศและการสื่อสารในสถาบันอุดมศึกษา ยังคงเป็นความท้าทายที่สำคัญสำหรับการยอมรับโทร .
คำสำคัญ : เทคโนโลยีขั้นสูงเรียน ( เรา ) ; ครู ; การพัฒนาอาชีพ ;วิธีวิจัยผสม ; กระดานไวท์บอร์ดแบบโต้ตอบ ; การพัฒนาบริบท ; เทคโนโฟเบีย
บทนำ
สปอตส์ ( 1999 ) ระบุห้าตัวแปรสำคัญ E-learning , เรียน คณะ เทคโนโลยี สิ่งแวดล้อม และการรับรู้คุณค่าในความพยายามที่จะได้รับข้อมูลที่เป็นประโยชน์เพื่อกิจกรรมการพัฒนาเทคโนโลยีปรับปรุงการเรียนรู้ ( เรา ) อย่างไรก็ตาม การใช้
อีเลิร์นนิ่งเป็นเทคโนโลยีสูงก่อกวนเพื่อการศึกษา ถ้าเราให้มันเป็น . . . . . . . ถ้าจะมีนวัตกรรมและการเปลี่ยนแปลงในการสอนที่มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีใหม่ต้องเป็นเศรษฐกิจฐานความรู้ที่ต้องใช้ และเป็นนักเรียนบางคนมีความต้องการที่จะต้องรับผิดชอบ ที่ควรจะเป็น นอกจากมหาวิทยาลัยชุมชนวิชาการ ? ( laurillard , 2549 , หน้า 5 )
These statements indicate that the final successes of implementing TEL at higher education institutions (HEIs) are to a great extent in the hands of faculty members. However, in many cases, faculty members require intensive pedagogical, knowledge, and skills training to make a real difference in the deposition of their learners.
การใช้ศักยภาพในการปฏิบัติการศึกษามักจะพบว่าบทบาทของครูจะเปลี่ยนไป อาจารย์ไม่เพียงได้เรียนรู้ความรู้พื้นฐานและทักษะ แต่ที่สำคัญ ได้เรียนรู้ทักษะการสอนที่เหมาะสม สามารถบูรณาการในเสียงทางสู่การปฏิบัติ การศึกษา ( voogt & knezek , 2551 , หน้า xxxiii )
More than simple knowledge of technology is required to produce good teaching. Exemplary teaching combines skillful use of technology, embedding key elements into course design (Wilson, 2003). This paper explores the lived experiences of faculty in a developing context while they for the first time engage with TEL.
Context of the Study
รูปแบบกระดาษนี้เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของการตรวจสอบขนาดใหญ่เพื่อสร้างสังคมการเรียนรู้การเปลี่ยนแปลงเทคโนโลยีซึ่งรวมกรอบเปิดและการเรียนทางไกล ( ODL ) ที่เรียนต่อครูการศึกษา ( scte ) ที่ภาคเหนือมหาวิทยาลัยตะวันตก ( nwu ) ( esterhuizen & blignaut 2011 ; esterhuizen blignaut , Ellis & ELS , 2012 ) It explores with the aim to understand the lived experiences of faculty at a developingODL unit and subsequently forms part of the cyclic process of data gathering in which emerging themes initiate further data gathering cycles.
The SCTE employs few learning technologies to teach and support students within an ODL model of course delivery. These include compact disc read only memory (CDROM),บริการส่งข้อความสั้น ( SMS ) และกระดานไวท์บอร์ดแบบโต้ตอบ ( iwbs ) เพื่อให้นักเรียนมีส่วนร่วมในสังคมสารสนเทศ ฝึกอบรม ครูควรมีการใช้เทคโนโลยีการสื่อสารข้อมูล ( ICT ) ต้องมีความสามารถในการใช้ ICT กิจกรรมให้ผู้เรียนของตน เพื่อพัฒนาศักยภาพของพวกเขา ไอซีทีสามารถเป็นพาหนะในการปรับการเรียนรู้ให้เข้าถึงข้อมูล provide flexibility regarding time, place, and pace of learning, and enable collaboration and continued study even while working full time (Ally, 2009; UNESCO, 2002).
The South African Government’s White Paper on e-Education (Department of Education, 2004) demands a definite outcome of ICT mastery as a matter of urgency in teacher training and teachers should have access to in-service training on how to integrate ICTs into teaching and learning. The e-Education White Paper acknowledges the backlog in its e-learning expectations and calls for development actions in this regard:
Many teachers have grown up in an environment that had less electronic technology available, and thus find the adaptation to working with ICT more difficult than their learners. A programme that urgently addresses the competencies of teachers to use ICT for their personal work, in their classrooms, should be developed. This will require extensive staff development and support. Thus,ไอซีทีจะกลางก่อนบริการฝึกอบรมของพนักงานและการพัฒนาวิชาชีพต่อเนื่องของการฝึกครู ( กระทรวงศึกษาธิการ , 2547 , หน้า 22 )
ความคิดเห็นของอาจารย์เป็นผู้นาในการเป็นหัวใจของการสำรวจนี้ The SCTE acknowledges the requirement for the advancement of e-learning in the development of a learning technology integration framework. It is necessary for teachers in training at the SCTE to adopt e-learning using ICT. Teachers’ adoption of technology is influenced by both the quantity and quality of experiences with technology (Moolman & Blignaut,2551 ) รวมอยู่ในโปรแกรมการศึกษาของครู ( agyei & voogt , 2011 ) .
scte อยู่ในกระบวนการของการพัฒนาจากกระดาษ deliveryto ทางไกล ใช้โทรศัพท์เป็นส่วนหนึ่งของ ODL . เพื่อเลื่อนจากทางร่างกายเดินทางไปบรรยายที่ศูนย์ในเวลาเล่าเรียนถึงการจัดการระยะไกลและนักเรียนพร้อมกันที่ 39 ค่าเล่าเรียนศูนย์ทั่วประเทศแอฟริกาใต้ the SCTE introduced synchronous computer mediated conferencing using interactive whiteboards (IWBs) at tuition centers. Faculty training in the use of IWBs necessitates competencies both in the area of technology use and in managing synchronous computer-mediated communication learning.developing faculty
Literature Review
การศึกษาความพยายามที่จะขยายการเข้าถึงการศึกษาที่ผ่านการผลิตมวลของการสอน และหลักสูตรวัสดุ ส่วนใหญ่มักจะขึ้นอยู่กับการส่งสัญญาณทางเดียวของข้อมูลที่มีโอกาสน้อยสำหรับยั่งยืนปฏิสัมพันธ์ สอนตัวต่อตัวยังดูเป็น มีประสิทธิภาพมากที่สุด และเด่นในการเรียนการสอนในระดับอุดมศึกษา อย่างไรก็ตาม" เทคโนโลยีการสื่อสารที่รองรับการปฏิสัมพันธ์อย่างต่อเนื่องจะมีผลกระทบอย่างมีนัยสำคัญในระดับอุดมศึกษาทั้งในมหาวิทยาลัย และในระยะ " ( แอนเดอร์สัน& Garrison , 2541 , หน้า 97 ) วิลสัน ( 2546 ) พบว่า บางส่วนของเหตุผลในการใช้เทคโนโลยีในการจัดการเรียนการสอนที่สามารถพัฒนานักเรียน นักศึกษาได้รับประโยชน์ในการค้นคว้า และการสื่อสาร foster independent learning, provide access to worldwide resources, and improve career choices. Schneckenberg, Ehlers, and Adelsberger (2011) indicate that, in many cases, faculty concerns for their students motivate them to walk the extra mile of implementing TEL for the benefit of their students—a concern often more powerful than personal financial considerations.
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