4faculty began in the fall of 2000 as a response
to the dramatically increased demand for new
adjunct faculty in the community college system.
Through grant funding from the United States
Department of Education’s FIPSE and the
California Community College Chancellor’s
Office Fund for Student Success, 4faculty was
originally designed to provide a cost-effective
and convenient approach to orientation and
professional development of adjunct faculty. The
recent decline in faculty development funds
makes 4faculty even more important.
In collaboration with
Riverside Community College, a cohort of eleven
colleges ultimately created 4faculty. It has
attracted the interest of more than half of
California’s community colleges and many
colleges outside the state. By combining the
professional development wisdom of its member
colleges, 4faculty has now created a
comprehensive, yet still cost-effective, system
to reach all faculty. Currently, 4faculty
represents the collective knowledge of over 200
faculty, administrators, and technical staff
from more than twenty colleges. Interactive,
learner-centered, and contextual, 4faculty is
more than a course; it is a life long resource
for all faculty members.
Colleges join 4faculty as
member institutions. Full access to 4faculty
materials is limited to faculty whose colleges
are members. Fees, which are currently
subsidized by grants, are based on college size.
Customized to fit state, district and college
needs, the site makes it easy for colleges to
offer extensive contextual references to their
resources and policies. Once a college joins,
faculty may set up a personalized account,
decide what learning modules best fit their
professional needs, and access the full
resources of the site. In addition, users are
encouraged to share their ideas via the
discussion board and contribute to the
“Apply” sections of the modules.
4faculty is independently
evaluated by the Institute of Applied Research
at California State University San Bernardino.
Researchers found that after the first year,
“The majority of faculty (88.4%) said they
plan to modify the way they teach their course(s)
as a result of taking [4faculty].” Over 90% of
online participants rated the course as useful
and helpful. 4faculty’s editorial board and
technical staff are responsive to feedback from
the more than 1,000 users. Version 2 of
4faculty, launched in September 2002, contains
more diverse content, expanded technology
modules, more practical tips, and dynamically
driven pages allowing for greater customization.
Faculty may select from twenty available content
modules, or opt for one of three set tracks: a
three hour quick introduction, a detailed new
faculty orientation, or a track devoted to
veteran faculty.
Given the project’s
anticipated 500% participation growth during
year two, it is apparent that 4faculty fulfills
a substantial need for professional development
and orientation. Additionally, 4faculty is
working with colleges in other states to share
content, including reusable learning objects, to
enhance 4faculty’s resources. Content
expansion plans also include:
• An introduction to faculty leadership
positions,
• Additional ideas for helping basic skills
students,
• Modules for occupational education and
nursing faculty,
• An introduction to the accreditation process
and issues.
