Date of Award
Spring 2000
Document Type
Dissertation - Restricted
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Education
First Advisor
Augenstein, John
Second Advisor
Cepulka, Angeline
Third Advisor
Deahl, Robert
Abstract
Adjunct instructors are a growing cadre of instructional personnel in the country and in the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). While these instructors fully represent the institution for which they teach to students, many lack the educational training and institutional support afforded to full-time staff. This study surveyed eight hundred and fifty-one adjunct instructors teaching at selected Wisconsin Technical College System institutions, determined their training and development needs, and discovered appropriate instructional methodologies to meet these needs. The purpose of this study was to provide information to faculty development specialists and other academic personnel seeking to initiate or enhance training for this growing group of adult educators. The study provided a demographic profile of the adjunct instructor, orientation and training opportunities offered and attended, effective and convenient methods for instructors to access training, and a ranking of training topics considered as most important to least important by respondents.