Caribbean faculty perceptions of online education in kinesiology field : a case study

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Mairym Villalobos Solís (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Pam Kosher-Brown

Abstract: Online education has proliferated for its benefits and use during emergencies (Hergüner, 2021). To effectively comply with this demand, faculty must be onboard with the transition to online education and receive adequate support from their institutions (Shelton, 2019). However, there seems to be slow growth in research concerning faculty perceptions on this topic. This case study collected the perceptions of 18 kinesiology faculty members in the Caribbean. Inductive and thematic analyses of individual interviews, focus groups, background questionnaires, and institutional documentation revealed the following six themes: (1) opinions about online education; lack of adequate policies; (2) difficult access to resources; (3) need of appropriate professional development; (4) lack of institutional leadership and (5) structure for online education; and (6) pandemic effect. The study revealed opportunities and challenges, with access and globalization of education as the main benefit and high intensity of work as an important challenge. While kinesiology faculty expressed that physical activity courses should be taught using a hybrid format, they also expressed needing technological and human resources, training in technology use, how to promote engagement in sessions, and assessments specific to their field. Faculty also described a lack of vision, institutional structure, policies, and communication from administrators regarding online education, identified as challenges for educational change (Curry, 2016). With kinesiology faculty in the Caribbean experiencing additional difficulties with the internet and infrastructure, administrators should consider kinesiology faculty perceptions to design institutional and faculty support that can facilitate a transition to online education.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2022
Keywords
Caribbean, Faculty perceptions, Higher education, Institutional support, Online education, Qualitative study
Subjects
Kinesiology $x Study and teaching (Higher) $z Caribbean Area
Kinesiology $x Web-based instruction $z Caribbean Area
College teachers $z Caribbean Area $x Attitudes

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