Encouraging Faculty CMS Adoption

Identifying the factors that encourage faculty to start using technology in their teaching is a constant challenge facing university administrators. The challenge applies both to the use of technology in general and course management systems in particular. Administrators need to identify the factors that cause or contribute to faculty course management system (CMS) use so that they can better support the technology and educate faculty in its use. This chapter discusses why faculty members choose to use course management systems. Some faculty members begin using a CMS when they teach an online class, or as part of their involvement in a CMS-based distance education program. Interviews with faculty and technology administrators around the University of Wisconsin System (UWS), however, reveal that most faculty members start using a CMS as a response to one or more of the following factors: ◆ they need to solve a pedagogical problem or challenge; ◆ CMS training becomes available; ◆ peers recommend it; ◆ departmental or administrative pressure/persuasion comes to bear; ◆ students request that such tools be used; or ◆ other factors arise, such as the need for cost savings or the desire to organize and manage course delivery. Figure 5-1 shows faculty assessment of these factors’ relative importance.