Batson, T. (2010) Let faculty off the hook Campus Technology, March 17
I liked this article very much. Trent Batson lays out a whole host of compelling reasons why it is so difficult to get faculty to change and use technology more and better. His main argument is that the whole ecology of higher educational institutions reinforces the status quo.
My only quibble is that these conditions are only there because faculty actually make most of the decisions that continue these practices – particularly peer review – so they can’t escape the hook. Faculty are a major part of the problem.
The point is that all members of post-secondary institutions need to take responsibility for change, to make the institution fit for purpose in the 21st century. But faculty need help, in terms of proper training, time to adjust, and vision and leadership from the administration.
Dr. Tony Bates is the author of eleven books in the field of online learning and distance education. He has provided consulting services specializing in training in the planning and management of online learning and distance education, working with over 40 organizations in 25 countries. Tony is a Research Associate with Contact North | Contact Nord, Ontario’s Distance Education & Training Network.
