Summary:
The authors set out to create an instrument for measuring instructors to determine if they are predisposed on teaching online. Their resulting instrument contained four factors, and 25 criteria:
"Factor 1: Social Presence
- Social I am empathetic to the needs of my students.
- I relate with students as people.
- I am tactful with students in emotionally stressful situations.
- I am flexible in dealing with students' needs (due dates, absences,etc.).
- I try to establish a welcoming learning environment.
- I understand the needs of my students.
- I adapt well in online delivery formats.
- I maintain genuine and meaningful contact in online formats.
- I project interpersonal skills in the online environment.
- I strive to continually improve performance in the online classroom.
- I maintain a highly visible presence in online formats.
- I am intrinsically motivated to master new information technology.
- I utilize new technologies to enhance learning.
- I communicate comfortably almost entirely through writing.
- I respond to student inquiries in a timely manner.
- I return work to students promptly.
- I create a schedule and stick to it. Pedagogical I am organized. I communicate clearly and effectively in writing.
- I demonstrate commitment to academic expertise.
- I have a passion for education.
I make content meaningful for the learner. - I anchor learning strategies in the context of my subject matter.
I adapt learning strategies within the context of my subject matter. - I am very knowledgeable in my content area" (Welch, Napoleon, Hill, & Roumell, 2014, p. 457).
