Information to Users

INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely afreet reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand corner and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Infonnation Company 300 North Zed) Road, Ann Aibor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE INTERNET ON A GROUP OF EDUCATION FACULTY MEMBERS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Thomas S. Woods-Tucker, M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 1997 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Professor Suzanne Damarin, Adviser Adviser Professor Daryl Siedentop Professor Stephen Acker College of Education UMI Number: 9731749 UMI Microform 9731749 Copyright 1997, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Copyright Thomas Stanley Woods-Tucker 1997 ABSTRACT This study was designed to assess the impact of the Internet on a group of education faculty. The purpose of the study was to describe and delineate the personal and educational experiences of a group of faculty members who had direct and unrestricted access to the Internet from their office computers. Based on the naturalistic paradigm and modeled after Gallo’s (1993) study, the present study explored the barriers these faculty encountered when using the Internet, the ways they utilized the Internet, the impact the Internet had on their attitudes toward computer technology, and their preferences for connecting to the Internet. Respondents were 10 full-time faculty members who represented the four departments and one school of the College of Education. Data sources for this study included participation in two types o f interviews (Patton, 1990), ongoing e-mail correspondence between the respondents and the researcher, completion of a grounded survey, and the respondents’ personal reflections in the form of ajournai. The findings of the study revealed that these faculty members’ experiences with the Internet were consistent with many of the reported findings involving the use of computer-mediated communication in higher education, the results of telecommunications studies involving preservice teachers during early field experiences, and the results of emerging studies involving librarians and the Internet. Problems of comprehension, time constraints, access, and inadequate administrative support emerged as barriers to faculty members’ use of the Internet. Respondents viewed the Internet in different ways. Some faculty members thought that the Internet was exciting and powerful, while others thought it was frustrating and created a system of “haves” and “have-nots.” All faculty members preferred direct access to the Internet over a dial up/terminal host connection. Respondents overwhelmingly used Eudora (for e-mail) more than any other Internet-related application. Ill Dedication in memory of my father and best friend Lee Roy Woods IV ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are many people to whom I owe my deepest gratitude for their friendship and support throughout my doctoral program. Specifically, I would like to extend my appreciation to my dissertation committee, Suzanne Damarin, Daryl Siedentop, and Stephen Acker, for their encouragement and confidence in me. Suzanne, you are the greatest! I would also like to thank Michael Gallo of the Florida Institute of Technology for his support and whose dissertation, “Assessing the Effect on High School Teachers of Direct and Unrestricted Access to the Internet: A Case Study of an East Central Florida High School” (Gallo, 1993), served as a model for mine. I am also indebted to those faculty members who willingly agreed to participate in this study. Thank you, Cal, Rena, Chuck, Ruby, Lee, Monique, Moses, Alexis, Andy, and Mac. A special word of thanks to my dissertation editor, Sharon Bierman. I could not have completed my doctoral studies without the support of my wife, Robin, my daughter, J’Quaysha, and other members of my family who always supported and helped me to reach my goals. And finally, I would like to thank all of my fiiends and most especially, Lee Mapp and Yahna Fryer, who exemplify the true meaning of friendship. VITA October 24, 1965 ............................................ Bom - Brinkley, Arkansas 198 8 ............................................................... B A., English Education Philander Smith College, Little Rock, Arkansas 198 9 ............................................................... M.A, Education, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio 1989 - 1992.................................................... Middle School Teacher & Coach Jardine Middle School Topeka, Kansas 1992 - Present................................................. College of Education, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field; Education Studies in: Educational Administration, Higher Education & Student Affairs, and Communication VI TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract............................................................................................................................. ii Dedication ............................................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................. v Vita...................................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... x List of Figures .................................................................................................................... xi Chapters 1. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ I Purpose of the Study .................................................................................................... 6 Research Questions ..................................................................................................... 6 Nature and Significance of the Study ........................................................................... 7 Definition of Terms ..................................................................................................... 9 Overview...................................................................................................................... 14 2. REVIEW'OF LITERATURE....................................................................................... 15 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 15 Teaching/Learning ....................................................................................................... 16 Research...................................................................................................................... 19 Service......................................................................................................................... 21 Research on Invisible Colleges ..................................................................................... 21 Developments of Electronic Telecommunications in Higher Education ........................... 24 Electronic Telecommunications at the Target University ............................................... 29 Future of Electronic Telecommunication Networks in Higher Education ........................ 32 Academic Uses of Computer Conferencing ................................................................... 35 Librarians and the Internet........................................................................................... 38 Telecommunications among Preservice Teachers during Early Field Experiences 42 Summary...................................................................................................................... 47 vu 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY................................................................................. 48 Introduction ...............................................................................................................

Load more