Advanced Faculty Professional Development for Online Course Building: An Action Research Project

This article reports on an action research project conducted by an Office of Distance Education at Kennesaw State University (KSU) for the purpose of finding a solution to the professional development of advanced faculty technology users. Action research (Lewin, 1946) involves a cycle of planning, action, and subsequent research to determine the effects of a social action. In particular, this research uses developmental action inquiry to gain knowledge “through action and for action” (Torbert, 2002; Torbert, 2004). Accordingly, this study identifies a problem, plans and implements a solution, and determines the effectiveness of that solution. Thus, three distance learning directors and 10 departmental online coordinators in KSU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) created and alpha tested an online training program for faculty with advanced technology experience. The group then beta tested the program and analyzed faculty responses for conceptual themes to revise the program. The revised online training program was then updated and offered to HSS faculty. The effect of this training is discussed in terms of its impact on the number of new online courses developed over the past few years in HSS at KSU.