Faculty Perceptions Research Articles

Evaluating the Impact of Emerging Technologies on Student Learning Outcomes: A Case Study of Kabul University, Afghanistan

This study investigates the integration of emerging technologies in teaching practices at Kabul University, focusing on faculty perceptions, utilization patterns, and associated challenges. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through surveys and semi-structured interviews from 127 Students across various academic faculties. Quantitative analyses, including ANOVA, regression, and correlation analyses, were conducted to examine relationships between familiarity with emerging technologies, perceived impact on student engagement, and frequency of integration into teaching practices. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts provided qualitative insights into faculty experiences and perspectives. Findings reveal diverse utilization patterns, with a significant proportion of instructors frequently integrating emerging technologies into their teaching practices. However, challenges such as the lack of technical support and infrastructure emerged as significant barriers to technology integration. The study underscores the critical role of faculty training and professional development programs in effectively leveraging emerging technologies to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Recommendations include the implementation of robust support systems and targeted training initiatives to address barriers and maximize the potential of emerging technologies in higher education contexts.

INVESTIGATING THE BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF INTERDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION SETTINGS

This study explores the dynamics of interdisciplinary education in private universities in Lahore, Pakistan, addressing a significant research gap in global discourse on this pedagogical approach. The research investigates faculty perceptions, benefits for students, and challenges associated with interdisciplinary education. Based on mixed-methods approach, including surveys & interviews, study reveals generally positive faculty perceptions, emphasizing the value of interdisciplinary education in enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving skills & overall learning experiences. Students, in turn, are reported to derive multifaceted benefits, including increased creativity, adaptability, and holistic understanding of societal challenges. Yet, challenges such as limited institutional support and resistance from traditional structures pose obstacles to effective implementation. Findings not only donate to localized understanding of interdisciplinary education in Lahore but offer insights applicable to educational contexts worldwide, aiming to enhance quality and relevance of higher education in an ever-evolving landscape.

Interprofessional education: Building social capital among faculty. Are we there yet?

Introduction: Interprofessional education (IPE) is advocated by governments, health professional bodies and universities as key to health professional education and improvement in patient safety. Although many universities have implemented scaffolded IPE curricular models across multiple disciplines, few have reported on faculty perception of this approach. This study sought to explore faculty perception in response to a new IPE curriculum model using the theoretical lens of social capital theory. Methods: In 2021, 24 key University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health (FMH) academics (from nursing, medical imaging, pharmacy, oral health, dentistry, applied science, health science, dietetics, medical science and occupational therapy) involved in the delivery of IPE were invited to participate in individual interviews. Using the conceptual lens of social capital theory, framework analysis was used to categorise themes in the data. Results: In total, 46% (n = 11) of invited FMH faculty were interviewed. Positive elements to the implementation of the curriculum model included a feeling of connectedness, recognition of a scaffolded approach to IPE integrated in existing coursework and growing interest of early career academics in IPE. However, a number of challenges were revealed, including structural barriers in course design, timetabling, misunderstanding regarding the IPE curricula and inequity in distribution of workload. Conclusion: Social capital theory provided a useful framework to consider the perceived enablers and barriers to the newly established IPE curriculum. Although the findings indicate that faculty felt positive about implementing the IPE curriculum, a number of barriers were identified, highlighting the need for increased faculty training and broader engagement in development of IPE curricula.

Working as a “Token”: Different Perspectives on the Role of International Faculty in Korean Universities

Purpose This study examined the factors influencing the tokenization of international faculty in Korean universities. It also explored how domestic faculty and staff perceive the role of international faculty and the process by which they adapt to the Korean education system. Design/Approach/Methods The study used a qualitative design. Universities were arranged by region and objectives (research-oriented, teaching-oriented, or combined teaching and research) for sampling, and in-depth interviews were conducted with three groups: international faculty, Korean faculty, and Korean staff. Findings First, Korean faculty and staff expressed low expectations of international faculty based on their different definitions of internationalization. Second, these low expectations resulted in role encapsulation, limiting the functions of international faculty. In addition, although Korean universities compete to hire international faculty, they do not provide them with adequate support post-hire. The burden of this lack of support is often passed on to Korean faculty, instilling a negative perception of international faculty. Originality/Value Using the framework of tokenism, this study analyzed Korean universities’ efforts to hire international faculty as part of university internationalization; it determined whether the latter ultimately became major actors in the internationalization strategy.

Ready to Implement? An Exploration of K12 Faculty’s Preparedness to Create Inclusive Learning Environments

Understanding how to create trauma-informed learning environments which can contribute to learner empowerment is the focus of this phase of an ongoing education design research project. As embedding opportunities for social-emotional learning (SEL) competency development has proven to help all students develop a sense of belonging within their educational environments (Cooper, 2014), a classroom climate that promotes these opportunities proves a useful metric by which to define inclusive learning environments. Internal and external factors K-12 faculty perceive as affecting their ability to create inclusive learning environments for increasingly diverse student bodies are examined. Observations are used to understand the extent to which faculty perception informs classroom practice. As K12 teachers are often collaborators in design and implementation of inclusive environments, an understanding of the extent to which these individuals conceptualize terms such as “belonging” is critical.

Can the Business-Oriented Higher Education Environment Compromise the Ethics of Social Work Education? An Exploratory Study of Faculty Perceptions

Can the Business-Oriented Higher Education Environment Compromise the Ethics of Social Work Education? An Exploratory Study of Faculty Perceptions

Changes of Interprofessional Education in Athletic Training: A 5-Year Follow-up Study

Interprofessional Education (IPE) prepares students in the healthcare field for collaborative practices. Faculty perceptions of IPE have been investigated among several health professions. We assess athletic training (AT) faculty perceptions of the importance of the four IPE competencies, their attitudes towards IPE, their attitudes and beliefs about IPE in the academic settings, their perceived barriers, and opportunities towards implementing IPE in AT curricula; and how these have changed. This study utilized a cross-sectional online survey administered anonymously in 2017 and 2022. The study population was faculty from accredited AT education programs in the USA identified through the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). We find that in the last five years, faculty perception of IPE has shifted to a more positive attitude toward understanding and implementing IPE in AT programs. However, data showed no significant differences between the initial and follow-up studies. Values and ethics and teams and teamwork were the two competencies ranked the highest in both studies. Younger respondents ranked communication higher than older respondents. Barriers to IPE implementation included lack of resources, allocated funding, and institutional support. The creation of an IPE program coordinator was one of the opportunities highlighted. Faculty of AT programs are aware of the importance of IPE and demonstrated a general positive attitude toward implementing IPE in their AT curricula. However, several barriers have been identified, including a perceived negative attitudes toward AT from other health professions.

Perceptions of students and faculty on NCAAA-accredited health informatics programs in Saudi Arabia: an evaluative study

BackgroundAs the healthcare sector becomes increasingly reliant on technology, it is crucial for universities to offer bachelor’s degrees in health informatics (HI). HI professionals bridge the gap between IT and healthcare, ensuring that technology complements patient care and clinical workflows; they promote enhanced patient outcomes, support clinical research, and uphold data security and privacy standards. This study aims to evaluate accredited HI academic programs in Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis study employed a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design utilising a self-reported electronic questionnaire consisting of predetermined items and response alternatives. Probability-stratified random sampling was also performed.ResultThe responses rates were 39% (n = 241) for students and 62% (n = 53) for faculty members. While the participants expressed different opinions regarding the eight variables being examined, the faculty members and students generally exhibited a strong level of consensus on many variables. A notable association was observed between facilities and various other characteristics, including student engagement, research activities, admission processes, and curriculum. Similarly, a notable correlation exists between student engagement and the curriculum in connection to research, attrition, the function of faculty members, and academic outcomes.ConclusionWhile faculty members and students hold similar views about the institution and its offerings, certain areas of divergence highlight the distinct perspectives and priorities of each group. The perception disparity between students and faculty in areas such as admission, faculty roles, and internships sheds light on areas of improvement and alignment for universities.

Perceptions of faculty towards online teaching for undergraduate medical education: An interview-based qualitative study.

Background The Covid-19 pandemic drastically affected medical education. One consequence was the shift of teaching-learning process to the online mode. This left many teachers unprepared. Our medical education department of a large teaching hospital did a qualitative analysis of the perceptions of the faculty towards this forced change. Methods We conducted in-depth interviews with 10 of the nearly hundred undergraduate faculty of a teaching hospital in southern India, with a strength of 100 students per batch. The participants were chosen by purposive sampling so as to include all phases and seniority levels. Seven categories related to the topic of research were decided. These were given to the participants to then speak freely about. Standard methods for recording and transcribing were followed. Deductive content analysis was done to obtain the emergent themes. Results The faculty had a definite negative perception of online teaching. Lack of interaction, absence of immediate feedback and concerns about attendance were uniformly the biggest issues. Practical and clinical teaching was deemed nearly impossible to be taught online. The positives were the gradual comfort factor with online teaching, and the mental preparation for the long haul with this modality. Conclusion In-depth interview and its qualitative analysis proved useful in getting a deeper understanding of the perceptions of the medical faculty towards online teaching-learning. The negative and positive perceptions thus obtained have proved useful as feedback to the medical education department to suggest changes to improve the online teaching programme.

Understanding the Relationship Between Perceived Organizational Support and Psychological Well-Being: Perspectives of Turkish Faculty Members

Objective: The purpose of our quantitative correlational study is to investigate the relationship between the perceived organizational support of faculty members and their psychological well-being. Methods: Our study included 450 faculty members from state universities in Istanbul who were selected using a simple random sampling method. We used descriptive statistics, <em>t</em>-test, ANOVA, and linear multiple regression analyses. Results: We found that faculty perceptions of organizational support and psychological well-being vary according to academic title and tenure and are not different by gender. Perceived organizational support significantly predicted psychological well-being while controlling for gender, academic title, and tenure. Conclusions: Ensuring organizational support for faculty can positively impact their psychological well-being. Implication for Practice: Higher education institutions should diversify resources of support for faculty and make this approach a priority for the administration. The institution should make organizational changes that consider the needs and expectations of faculty members.

Abstract 1089 A Tale of Two Perspectives: Comparing Student and Faculty Perceptions of Biomolecular Visualization Assessment

Abstract 1089 A Tale of Two Perspectives: Comparing Student and Faculty Perceptions of Biomolecular Visualization Assessment

Are we there yet? A nationwide study of faculty-to-faculty bullying and incivility in nursing education

BackgroundFaculty-to-faculty bullying and incivility in nursing education remain prevalent. The effects are harmful to individual faculty members, and they weaken the organization. AimThe study aimed to measure faculty perceptions of bullying and incivility within their organization and identify the most commonly occurring bullying behaviors and types of incivility. The survey instruments were the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) and the Workplace Incivility/Civility Scale (WICS). This is the first known national study to use both. MethodsThe study used a convergent mixed-method design and a convenience sample. ResultsThere were 1,417 responses from nursing faculty from every state and the territory of Guam. The most frequently occurring bullying behavior was being ignored, while the most frequent uncivil behavior was being interrupted. The incidence of faculty-to-faculty bullying and incivility was lower in this study than in previous studies. However, despite the slight decrease, verbatim responses in the qualitative portion of the study reveal that mean-spirited, petty, and vitriolic remarks occur frequently.

Student and Faculty Perceptions of Ineffective Teaching Behaviours

Student and Faculty Perceptions of Ineffective Teaching Behaviours

STUDENTS AND FACULTY LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP IN DISTANCE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

COVID-19 pandemic has changed the education landscape and increased the acceptance and adoption of distance educations by both individuals and academic institutions. The rise in e-learning and distance education and the increased access to the Internet and learning technology, it becomes critical that provide positive, safe, legal, and ethical behavioural online. While COVID 19 acerated the use and adoption of online learning, it also highlighted the importance of fostering effective digital citizenship given the level of misinformation and conspiracy theories generated spread on the Internet and social media about the pandemic. In this study, the researcher examined the students and faculty perception of digital citizenship practices in distance learning environments at Al-Quds Open University. The study used a mix method approach with 8 faculty participating in the qualitative interview and 559 students participating in the quantitative survey. The study's findings revealed that while students and teachers were aware of digital citizenship principles, they lacked in-depth understanding and knowledge of topics like digital rights, digital security, and digital ethics. Faculty and students both believed that digital citizenship is vital and required for protecting students' privacy and cultivating ethical technology use. Students and faculty both agreed on the importance of incorporating digital citizenship skills like digital rights, digital security, and digital ethics within e-learning curricula.

Sustainability teaching in higher education: assessing arts and design faculty perceptions and attitudes

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions and attitudes of arts and design faculty on teaching sustainability in higher education institutions in the USA. Design/methodology/approach Arts and design faculty from nine universities in the USA were approached for the study, using both closed and open-ended questions in a survey instrument. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyze the collected data. Findings Results related to arts and design faculty’s perception of sustainability showed high confidence in teaching sustainability but lower confidence in inspiring students to take action on sustainability issues. Faculty also perceived time, resources, knowledge and support as barriers to the integration of the topic into the curriculum. This study revealed that the faculty’s attitude toward sustainability demonstrated their recognition that sustainability should be at the core of their discipline and that they support its integration into courses. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to arts and design faculty in higher education institutions in the USA. The results may not be generalizable to other fields or locations. In addition, the use of self-reported data may be subject to bias. Practical implications The findings of this study can inform the development of curriculum and pedagogy in arts and design sustainability education. It can also guide institutions in addressing the challenges and barriers related to incorporating sustainability into their curriculum. Social implications Prioritizing sustainability education is crucial in addressing global climate change and related issues. Art and design educators’ perspectives on teaching sustainability can contribute to constructing a sustainable future for everyone. Originality/value This study provides insight into the perception and attitude of sustainability among arts and design faculty in higher education in the USA and highlights areas for improvement such as training and resources to better integrate sustainability into the curriculum.

Do we teach critical thinking? A mixed methods study of faculty and student perceptions of teaching and learning critical thinking at three professional schools

Introduction Critical thinking (CT) is an essential set of skills and dispositions for professionals. While viewed as an important part of professional education, approaches to teaching and assessing critical thinking have been siloed within disciplines and there are limited data on whether student perceptions of learning align with faculty perceptions of teaching. Materials and methods The authors used a convergent mixed methods approach in required core courses in schools of education, government, and medicine at one university in the Northeast United States. Faculty surveys and student focus groups (FG) addressed definitions, strategies, and barriers to teaching CT. Results and conclusions Sixty-four (51.6%) faculty completed the survey, and 34 students participated in FGs. Among faculty, 54.0% (34/63) reported explicitly teaching CT; but students suggested teaching CT was predominantly implicit. Faculty-reported strategies differed among schools. Faculty defined CT in process terms such as ‘analyzing’; students defined CT in terms of viewpoints and biases. Our results reveal a lack of explicit, shared CT mental models between faculty and students and across professional schools. Explicit teaching of CT may help develop a shared language and lead to better understanding and application of the skills and dispositions necessary to succeed in professional life.

Examining Faculty Perspectives on the Role and Value of Intercollegiate Athletics

The uneasy marriage of higher education and athletics can be seen through the conceptual lenses of former institution and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) President Myles Brand’s Standard or Integrated View. The Standard View maintains that athletics serves as a business while the Integrated View argues that athletics should be appreciated as a form of education and art. Through these perspectives of athletics as a business, education, and art, this study surveyed faculty at one football bowl subdivision institution (n = 216) on their perceptions of athletics. Analyses demonstrated faculty perceptions were varied and contradictory as they noted athletics was simultaneously a business important for their institution, but also a detractor for higher education at large. Additionally, they perceived some developmental benefits of participation in athletics but still did not believe sports to be educational in nature. Implications for better understanding faculty perceptions of athletics while improving the education-sport marriage are discussed.

THE ROLE AND CHALLENGES OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

This paper examines the increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in information technology (IT) higher education and the key opportunities and challenges associated with its adoption. A review of 75-100 research studies published during 2016-2022 and industry perspectives reveals AI’s effectiveness in improving learning outcomes through personalized, adaptive systems. However, integrating AI also poses risks regarding transparency, accountability, automation, biases, accessibility, and ethical impacts. Faculty perceptions, technology readiness, curriculum reform needs, and policy implications are analyzed under a conceptual framework integrating technology adoption and AI ethics theories. Qualitative methodology entails literature analysis to highlight AI’s advantages in optimizing human teaching efforts while weighing concerns around dehumanization, data privacy, and disempowerment. Balanced policies and practices focused on developing students’ AI competencies alongside critical thinking abilities are recommended to harness AI’s potential equitably and ethically. Deliberate efforts are needed to engineer inclusion into AI systems and uphold transparency in automated decision-making. The study informs strategies for readying IT students to responsibly apply AI tools to augment human capabilities.

Faculty Perceptions of Online Instruction and Educational Technology in Higher Education

The purpose of this research was to obtain faculty perceptions of online instruction and educational technology in higher education. Data was collected from eight participants through interviews and open-ended questions at a higher education institution. Results showed that faculty consider that online instruction is only possible for certain programs and that it’s only for certain student populations. In addition, faculty perceive online learning environments as a repository for class information and serve as a communication medium between instructor and student. Furthermore, faculty believe that there is no substitution for traditional teaching methods regardless of the educational technology available. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.

Assessment, credential, or both? Higher education faculty’s design principles for micro-credentials

The rise of small, skills-focused credentials, also known as micro-credentials, has garnered considerable attention in recent years. By offering micro-credentials, institutions of higher education can provide additional credential options, thereby attracting more diverse audiences beyond degree-seekers. However, amidst their growth, fundamental questions surrounding their effective design and pedagogical implementation remain. This lack of clarity may inadvertently hinder their effectiveness. To address this gap, there is a need for studies that examine the perspectives and practices of faculty involved in micro-credential development and delivery. This study employed a single-embedded case design to investigate the perceptions and practices of faculty members who implemented micro-credentials for a pilot program at a large public research university. Specifically, this study aimed to identify faculty perceptions of the assessment and credentialing affordances of micro-credentials, and strategies employed to integrate these affordances into the design of micro-credentials. In-depth interviews were conducted with faculty members representing a diverse array of academic disciplines. Findings revealed that faculty need support in recognizing and integrating certain characteristics of quality assessments when designing micro-credentials, including aligning of assessments with a micro-credential’s delivery method, and integrating equity-oriented assessments into the design. These findings underscore the necessity for interventions and training programs aimed at integrating quality assessment practices into micro-credential design.