Concerns of Instructors Delivering Internet-based Instruction

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to quantify the concerns of a Jordanian university’s instructors who have developed and are currently teaching Internet-based courses. The study surveyed (39) instructors from different disciplines during the first semester of the academic year 2005/2006. A Likert-type concerns scale was developed based on careful review of literature and analysis of informal interviews with instructors involved in the development and delivery of Internet-based courses. In addition to descriptive analyses, chi-square tests were used to analyze data collected. Results of the study indicated that instructor’s top four concerns were: (1) sufficient time to develop and maintain course material, (2) technical support and technical training, (3) administrative support, and (4) sufficient time to interact with students. The results also showed that instructors’ concerns about Internet-based instruction were not significantly different based on the discipline. The information provided by this study is expected to update administrators and decision-makers of the current concerns of Internet based instructors so an effective Internet-based education can be fostered. Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations were offered.