The Impact of Distance Learning on Faculty Contracts and Policies in Florida Community Colleges

Distance Learning is state of the art and is fast becoming a primary instructional delivery method in Florida community colleges. However, the present laws and policies that govern Florida\u27s community college educational system are created based on traditional methods for delivering educational services. The potential change in faculty roles and responsibilities brought about by distance learning has raised questions about the impact distance learning will have on overall labor conditions for American faculty. In some instances, the use of alternative methods of delivering educational services has resulted in inconsistent policies. As more faculty become involved in teaching online courses, there will be a greater need to examine distance learning policy and address the issues of inconsistency in policy. The goal of this study was to develop a resource to assist Florida community college leaders (both faculty and administration) to address faculty policy and contractual issues as they relate to distance learning. To achieve the goal, the researcher investigated the impact of distance teaching assignments on faculty contractual agreements and how and where policy was being rewritten to address the new paradigm. Survey research methods were utilized to collect data for this study. This study attempted to answer the following questions: How has the proliferation of distance learning at the community college impacted full-time faculty? What are the work conditions of di stance learning faculty? What requirements are associated with the different aspects of the job? How must traditional contracts and policies be modified to accommodate the new roles and responsibilities of distance education faculty? The results of this study have added considerably to our knowledge base of distance learning policy at Florida\u27s community colleges by providi.ng a Web-based central repository of distance learning policy. It has added to our knowledge of the impact distance learning policy is having on faculty contracts and policies. The contribution to our knowledge base will grow as policy is added to the repository