Faculty attitudes toward distance education in Utah public colleges and universities

The purpose of this study was to obtain faculty attitude information toward distance education at the Utah public colleges and universities. Faculty attitudes were deemed important with more and more money being allocated in Utah to the development of distance education.;The survey found that 95% of the Utah faculty was familiar with distance education and that a high number would be willing to teach distance courses, even if they hadn't already done so. Communication, Education and Business were the most willing academic areas and the most willing group was the comprehensive university group of Southern Utah University and Weber State University.;The faculty believed distance education was an effective educational method and they were supportive of their institutions being involved in distance education delivery.;They were slightly positive toward using distance education in their academic areas, but held slightly negative attitudes toward the use of distance education in their own courses. They were most familiar with correspondence study, but favored the use of two-way video and two-way audio methods.;A survey of Utah public higher education faculty was conducted in the fall of 1997. The survey achieved a 66% return rate, a total of 421 faculty members.;Nonverbal communication skills were important t faculty, but they did not agree that nonverbal skills could be as effective in the distance classrooms. Accessibility issues were important to faculty to increase education opportunities and availability in rural areas.;The faculty stressed the need students have for face-to-face interaction with professors and with their peers, but weren't sure distance education methods could deliver the needed interaction.;The study concluded that administrators and organizers of distance education in Utah should continue to move ahead with distance education programs based on the willingness of the Utah faculty to teach distance education courses. The study also determined that the Utah faculty needs to be furnished with information concerning the effectiveness and quality of distance education.