Vol. 31 No. 2 (2016)
Research Brief

The Virtual Professor and Online Teaching, Administration and Research: Issues for Globally Dispersed Business Faculty

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Richard Kaban Ladyshewsky
Curtin University
Bio

Published 2016-10-22

Keywords

  • Online Teaching,
  • Telework,
  • e-Learning

How to Cite

Ladyshewsky, R. K. (2016). The Virtual Professor and Online Teaching, Administration and Research: Issues for Globally Dispersed Business Faculty. International Journal of E-Learning & Distance Education Revue Internationale Du E-Learning Et La Formation à Distance, 31(2). Retrieved from https://ijede.ca/index.php/jde/article/view/985
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Abstract

Changes in the manner in which universities are delivering education are revolutionary. Learning spaces are changing, online learning is increasing, the demand for more flexible learning continues to grow, and the skill set for academics is expanding. Recruitment and retention of academic staff to work in this type of context creates a range of challenges for universities. With a global shortage of quality academic staff, an ageing academic workforce and a younger cohort of casual academic staff looking to leave the sector, institutions may need to consider other ways of attracting staff beyond the traditional manner of resident faculty. One staffing model involves having permanent academic staff positions which are virtual. This case study reports on the experience of a professor in a university’s business faculty working remotely in a foreign country.  The experience of working virtually was successful across teaching, research and administrative dimensions. Reasons for this success related to the intrapersonal competencies and work preferences of the professor and the technology rich environment of the university.  Maintaining communication richness with colleagues were noted challenges. Educational management and administration of these staffing arrangements offer new ways for universities interested in internationalizing its business.

 

Résumé

Le professeur virtuel et l'enseignement en ligne, l'administration et la recherche: Enjeux pour une Faculté des affaires dispersée à l'échelle mondiale

Les changements dans la manière dont les universités offrent l'éducation sont révolutionnaires. Les espaces d'apprentissage changent, l'apprentissage en ligne augmente, la demande pour l’apprentissage plus flexible continue de s’accroître, et l'ensemble des compétences pour les universitaires est en pleine expansion. Le recrutement et la rétention du personnel enseignant à travailler dans ce type de contexte crée une série de défis pour les universités. Avec une pénurie mondiale de personnel académique de qualité, une main-d'œuvre universitaire vieillissante et une cohorte plus jeune du personnel académique occasionnel qui cherche à quitter le secteur, les institutions pourraient devoir envisager d'autres moyens d'attirer le personnel au-delà de la manière traditionnelle de professeurs en résidence. Un modèle de dotation implique d'avoir des postes de personnel académique permanents qui sont virtuels. Cette étude de cas rend compte de l'expérience d'un professeur à la faculté des affaires d'une université travaillant à distance dans un pays étranger. L'expérience du travail virtuel a réussi au niveau de l'enseignement, de la recherche et des dimensions administratives. Les raisons de ce succès ont été liées aux compétences intrapersonnelles et aux préférences de travail du professeur et l’environnement riche en technologie de l'université. Les défis relevés se situaient au niveau du maintien de la richesse en communication avec les collègues. La gestion de l'éducation et l'administration de ces dispositifs de dotation en personnel offrent de nouvelles façons pour les universités intéressées à internationaliser leur entreprise.

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