Preparedness and Competencies of Higher Education Teachers to Teach Online: A Study in North-East India

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v11i2.1128

Keywords:

Faculty Readiness to Teach Online (FRTO) instrument, Higher education, Structured equation modelling (SEM), Higher education institutes (HEI), North East India, Access, digital awareness, digital equity, digital knowledge, digital literacy, online earning

Abstract

This study explores the significance of the online teaching ability of higher education teachers, and how teachers perceived their level of competence in teaching online in north-east (NE) India. The Faculty Readiness to Teach Online (FRTO) instrument developed by Martin et al. (2019) was adapted to conduct a study from 130 teachers in higher education institutions across NE India. The ability to teach online was categorised into four categories, i.e., course design, course communication, time management, and technical competence. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was carried out to do direct and indirect path analysis of the proposed conceptual model. Multiple regression analysis was used in analysing the demographic profiles of the teachers and their perceptions of the importance of online teaching competencies. The findings indicate that the perceived readiness to teach online was not significantly influenced by course design, course communication, time management and technical competencies. Furthermore, regression analysis showed that both age and gender negatively impacted perceptions towards readiness to teach online, with older and female teachers having lower perception scores.

Author Biographies

Chayanika Senapati, K K Handiqui State Open University

Dr Chayanika Senapati has been an Assistant Professor in Management in Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University since December, 2007. She has a PhD from Gauhati University, 2016. She also has an MBA with specialisation in Human Resource Management and Marketing Management from Gauhati University, 2007. While associated with Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University for the past 17 years, she has explored new areas in the field of Open and Distance Learning and Management Studies; adopting an interdisciplinary approach into all her research activities. Dr Senapati has presented more than 40 research papers in various national and international conferences. She has received full sponsorship from COL to attend and present a research paper entitled “Education Beyond Barrier: A Case Study on the Aged Learners of KKHSOU, Assam” 9th Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning, held in Edinburgh, 2019. Dr Senapati has been a guest faculty member at several nstitutions. In addition to these she has published a number of research articles in in various journals of high repute. Email: chayanikasenapati@kkhsou.in

Dipankar Malakar, Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University

Dr Dipankar Malakar works at Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University as Assistant Professor in the Maniram Dewan School of Management. He has more than 12 years of teaching and research experience. He received his PhD from Gauhati University in 2017. He is also a PhD supervisor at Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University. He has presented more than 35 research papers in national and international seminars and in addition has published more than eight research articles in reputed journals, edited volumes, etc. He is a life member of Indian Commerce Association, North East India Commerce and Management Association and Odisha Commerce Association. Dr Malakar is also associated with the Department of Commerce. Email: dpmalakar1984@gmail.com

 

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Published

2024-07-21

How to Cite

Senapati, C., & Malakar, D. (2024). Preparedness and Competencies of Higher Education Teachers to Teach Online: A Study in North-East India. Journal of Learning for Development, 11(2), 270–288. https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v11i2.1128

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024): ISSUE 2

Section

Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2024 chayanika senapati, Dipankar Malakar

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Received 2023-08-03
Accepted 2024-07-09
Published 2024-07-21