Abstract
This mixed-methods study sought to identify specific professional development needs of instructors relative to teaching, advising and recruiting students in two online programs: Swine Science Online and Professional Swine Manager. The study consisted of interviews with eight instructors and a survey of all 25 instructors in the programs. These instructors have intermediate- to novice-level self-perceived proficiency with course management systems and varying levels of self-perceived proficiency with other online education tools. They want to learn strategies and techniques to increase students’ interaction in online courses but see time as a significant barrier to professional development and to improving online instruction. As a result of this study, we recommended the United States Pork Center of Excellence conduct a professional development workshop with sessions on time management related to online education, promoting student interaction in online courses and using successful, research-based strategies for online education.
 7 Bjelland_2014 NACTA Journal.pdf | [ ] | 215 kB |
