ERIC Number: ED554015
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 150
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-3031-3012-0
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Applying the Dualistic Model of Passion to Post-Secondary Online Instruction: A Comparative Study
Greenberger, Scott W.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Grand Canyon University
With the growth of online education, online student attrition and failure rates will continue to be a concern for post-secondary institutions. Although many factors may contribute to such phenomena, the role of the online instructor is clearly an important factor. Exploring how online instructors perceive their role as online teachers, specifically whether or not they feel passionate for the activity of teaching online, is a good first step to understanding online student outcomes. The purpose of this quantitative study was to identify the existence of teacher passion for online instruction and to compare this phenomenon with teachers in a face-to-face setting. The theoretical basis for the study was the dualistic model of passion, which posits two types of passion, harmonious and obsessive passion for activities. Distance education theories including transaction distance theory and the community of inquiry model were also analyzed to frame the theoretical context. The study utilized an unpublished dataset to compare online and face-to-face instructors. The Passion Scale, a valid and reliable instrument for measuring passion, was used to collect the data. Two research questions framed the study, including whether passion for online instruction existed and whether such self-perceived passion orientation was significantly different in comparison with face-to-face instructors in the sample population. The dataset consisted of (N = 112) instructors from a university in the Southwestern United States. After data cleaning and error checking, the final sample population consisted of 92 instructors. The results of the study showed that teacher passion existed for the activity of online instruction and that no statistical difference was found between the two groups in passion orientation. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Postsecondary Education, College Faculty, Online Courses, Electronic Learning, Comparative Analysis, Models, Teacher Attitudes, Positive Attitudes, Teacher Role, Outcomes of Education, College Students, Statistical Analysis, Teacher Motivation, Conventional Instruction, Distance Education, Educational Theories, Validity, Reliability, Measures (Individuals)
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Postsecondary Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A