| The purpose of this study was to explore faculty development efforts in support of web-based distance education among University of North Carolina schools of education. This study was designed to investigate the organization of faculty development for web-based distance education, what topics might be covered, reasons to offer faculty development, and what incentives persuade faculty members to become involved in developing and offering web-based distance education courses and programs.;This qualitative exploratory study considered the university system as a bounded case with multiple sites. Data were collected via online surveys and audio-taped personal telephone interviews from school of education deans and faculty development personnel responsible for designing or providing faculty development for faculty members converting to web-based distance education. Data collected were transcribed verbatim, analyzed, and reduced, using a constant comparative analysis method, to arrive at a composite description of faculty development efforts for web-based distance education among the participating schools of education.;Faculty development efforts among the system schools of education appeared to be (a) faculty driven, (b) institution and unit dependent, (c) technology enabled, (d) lacking a systematic approach, and (e) the primary focus of future development. Several factors appeared to have influenced faculty development efforts including maturity, cautiousness, flexibility, time, support, and informal training. While the depth and breadth of faculty development efforts varied according to the school of education or institution, data indicated that faculty members have been provided with faculty development opportunities from on-campus resources, for-profit organizations, special programs, conferences, and, on one campus, a programmatic approach. Information gained from this study should help shape a systematic approach to faculty development with an unifying entity coordinating various training opportunities on a campus. Faculty development opportunities available from various sources on campus could be coordinated to provide a common theme throughout faculty development opportunities with individual consultancy provided to assist faculty members with the appropriate application of new technologies or methodologies. |
