JOURNAL OF HIGHER EDUCATION THEORY AND PRACTICE

Bridging the Gap with Faculty Learning Communities: Creating Community Between Onsite and Offsite Faculty

Author(s): Jennifer R. Vogel, Amy T. Rogers

Citation: Jennifer R. Vogel, Amy T. Rogers, (2017) "Bridging the Gap with Faculty Learning Communities: Creating Community Between Onsite and Offsite Faculty ," Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, Vol.17, Iss. 9, pp.81-91

Article Type: Research paper

Publisher: North American Business Press

Abstract:

This paper explores the learning community at an online university comprised of both onsite and offsite,

fulltime faculty members. In this mixed methods study, researchers investigated the impact of various

professional development opportunities. Participants were surveyed and interviewed. Results indicate

strong agreement that professional development has a strong impact on sense of community and efficacy

and attitudes towards roles and responsibilities; while professional development appeared to have less of

an impact on student learning, persistence, and retention. Findings have been used to help inform future

professional development opportunities and the possible establishment of more structured faculty

learning community.