May 2007

Changes in the Academic Profession
As college teachers, most of us know that the profession is changing, but we aren’t always as up on the details as we should be. The changes occurring today have implications for everyone who teaches. Just a couple of facts make that abundantly clear. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, between 2001 and 2003 only 54 percent of the faculty hired were appointed to full-time positions, and 35 percent of all full-time appointees were not in tenured or tenure-track positions.

Use Participation Policies to Improve Interaction
One instructor’s study of student participation in online discussions in two of his asynchronous online courses over a five-year period has yielded some interesting results that have influenced how he conducts his courses.

The Student as College Customer: Do You Buy It?
A recent informal poll conducted by Magna Publications’ electronic newsletters Faculty Focus and Eye on Students asked, “Would you like to see student affairs work more closely with academic affairs on your campus? What is preventing—or encouraging—collaboration on your campus?”

Take the Poll!
Last month's question asked about how strongly faculty are encouraged to be involved in institutional issues beyond their department, how their involvement is rewarded, and what might be the most effective way to get faculty members more involved.