Keeping Current

In a recent discussion with students in my class, the question arose about “Why is so little research being completed on the needs of distance educators?” With significant thought, a student in my class proposed questions (backed up by her research and the conversations with her peers of course) to the class.

Lisa asked the class to …

“Please consider the following points:

1. Distance educators can suffer from the same degree of isolation their students feel (Morgan & McKenzie, 2003). They may seldom see colleagues face-to-face or experience the camaraderie inherent in a workspace that is physically shared.

2. In my experience, the time commitment for teaching a distance education course is greater
than the time commitment for teaching a face-to-face class. (For example, just think about the number of posts per week from this class, and then think about the time it takes to read and respond to those.) However, salaries do not often reflect extra time spent.

3. When distance educators increase student support to the level necessary to ensure learner success, they also dangerously increase their own workloads and chances for burnout (Morgan & McKenzie, 2003).

Isn’t it time for us to think more about retention and job satisfaction of distance educators?

Reference: Morgan,C., & McKenzie, A. (2003). Is enough too much? The dilemma for
online distance learner supporters. International Review of Research inOpen and Distance Learning, 4(1). Retrieved January 30, 2007, from www.irrodl.index.php/irrod/article/view/119/598″

I have to agree with Lisa in many ways. Teaching at a distance can be challenging and often it is difficult to maintain a professional network, especially if teaching is not the main way you make your living. However, I teach because I enjoy the work. So, here is the heart felt response I provided Lisa and the class on why you might teach via distance even though it can be challenging…

“As a distance instructor who has been doing this for quite a long time, either as an adjunct or for free as graduate slave labor I do understand your concerns and feel much of what you say is true. Here are some of the ways in which I get rewarded for teaching in this manner that are not monetary…

I get to teach at a pace that is a bit different than it would be if I had to show up to a classroom twice a week for 3 hours.

I can teach in my pajamas with a beer after my day job.

I have the chance to really engage students in learning as I do not have to find a way to “get through” all the content in the 3 hours I have to connect with you. I can off load some of this responsibility to my students by requiring them to seek out information.

I find that most students who take distance courses are more dedicated and better equipped to challenge me as an instructor.

Asfor my own networking, that is a bit tougher. However, with all the new technologies available, I am only as isolated and lonely as I let myself get or 24 hour days limit me

Just a few thoughts from my perspective. - Dr. S”

I find it rewarding, but as an administrator I also realize that distance teaching can challenge even the most dedicated educators. So, my question is, what if anything should we be doing about retention and job satisfaction of distance educators?