Quimba & Lee
Development of a Virtual Faculty Network Using Flipgrid
Maria Quimba, Grand Canyon University
Pascale Lee, Grand Canyon University
Abstract
The new landscape of contingent employment in higher education has presented unique challenges for educational institutions preparing working professionals to assume roles as educators. Unlike their traditional counterparts, adjunct faculty possess disciplinary knowledge and expertise but lack formal, academic preparation for teaching (Anderson, 2009; Cangelosi, Crocker, & Sorrell, 2009; Girard, 2003; Spencer, 2013). Consequently, adjunct faculty require additional tools for on-going development and to feel connected to the organization (AACN, 2017; McDonald, 2010). Such faculty supports influence employee motivation and workplace engagement (Bauer, 2011; Meixner, Kruck, & Madden, 2010) and are positively correlated with job satisfaction and organizational commitment (Gappa, 2000; Lew, 2009). To address the complex needs of adjunct nursing and health professions faculty, the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has implemented an approach to faculty development using Flipgrid, a video discussion platform. Most commonly used in K-12 education as a learning tool for students, the platform was “flipped” to engage adjunct faculty across health disciplines in a virtual faculty network. Twelve faculty participated in a beta test over the course of a semester to evaluate accessibility, functionality, and overall usefulness of the platform to influence faculty engagement. Results were consistent with the literature pertaining to faculty work engagement (Forbes, Hickey, & White 2010; McDonald, 2010; Raman, 2015). Faculty reported that the professional development activity promoted a sense of community among educators and encouraged collaboration. Ability to engage in meaningful dialog, outside of traditional meetings, was reported as a major theme influencing the sharing of best practices.