Creating a Sustainable Online Instructor Observation System: A Case Study Highlighting Flaws when Blending Mentoring and Evaluation
by Marthann Schulte, Kay Dennis, Michael Eskey, Cathy Taylor, and Heather Zeng, Park University
June 2012, The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning
. . . “In many institutions, instructor training is sparse and faculty evaluation occurs only through end-of-course student evaluations that may or may not yield adequate information on how the instructor performs online. However, Park promotes academic rigor by funneling substantial resources into faculty training and evaluation. Consequently, the online instructor evaluation system (OIES) was developed to ensure the finest quality educational experience for online students via a systematic approach to faculty training, mentoring, and evaluation (Mandernach, Donnelli, Dailey, & Schulte, 2005). Using a case study approach, the OIES was created based upon institutional need, existing research on online learning, and resources available for instructor mentoring and evaluation.”
