4faculty began in the fall of 2000 as a response to
the dramatically increased demand for new adjunct faculty
in the community college system. Through grant funding
from the United States Department of Education’s
FIPSE and the California Community College Chancellor’s
Office Fund for Student Success, 4faculty was originally
designed to provide a cost-effective and convenient
approach to orientation and professional development
of adjunct faculty. The recent decline in faculty development
funds makes 4faculty even more important.
In collaboration with Riverside Community
College, a cohort of eleven colleges ultimately created
4faculty. It has attracted the interest of more than
half of California’s community colleges and many
colleges outside the state. By combining the professional
development wisdom of its member colleges, 4faculty
has now created a comprehensive, yet still cost-effective,
system to reach all faculty. Currently, 4faculty represents
the collective knowledge of over 200 faculty, administrators,
and technical staff from more than twenty colleges.
Interactive, learner-centered, and contextual, 4faculty
is more than a course; it is a life long resource for
all faculty members.
Colleges join 4faculty as member institutions.
Full access to 4faculty materials is limited to faculty
whose colleges are members. Fees, which are currently
subsidized by grants, are based on college size. Customized
to fit state, district and college needs, the site makes
it easy for colleges to offer extensive contextual references
to their resources and policies. Once a college joins,
faculty may set up a personalized account, decide what
learning modules best fit their professional needs,
and access the full resources of the site. In addition,
users are encouraged to share their ideas via the discussion
board and contribute to the “Apply” sections
of the modules.
4faculty is independently evaluated
by the Institute of Applied Research at California State
University San Bernardino. Researchers found that after
the first year, “The majority of faculty (88.4%)
said they plan to modify the way they teach their course(s)
as a result of taking [4faculty].” Over 90% of
online participants rated the course as useful and helpful.
4faculty’s editorial board and technical staff
are responsive to feedback from the more than 1,000
users. Version 2 of 4faculty, launched in September
2002, contains more diverse content, expanded technology
modules, more practical tips, and dynamically driven
pages allowing for greater customization. Faculty may
select from twenty available content modules, or opt
for one of three set tracks: a three hour quick introduction,
a detailed new faculty orientation, or a track devoted
to veteran faculty.
Given the project’s anticipated
500% participation growth during year two, it is apparent
that 4faculty fulfills a substantial need for professional
development and orientation. Additionally, 4faculty
is working with colleges in other states to share content,
including reusable learning objects, to enhance 4faculty’s
resources. Content expansion plans also include:
• An introduction to faculty leadership positions,
• Additional ideas for helping basic skills students,
• Modules for occupational education and nursing
faculty,
• An introduction to the accreditation process
and issues.
