A Case Study of Faculty Attitudes Related to Electronic Texts and Course Content in Business School Classrooms

Australian Business Education Research Association. PO Box 408, Mapleton, Queensland 4560, Australia. e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.ejbest.org/

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Case Studies; Teacher Attitudes; College Faculty; Business Administration Education; Business Schools; Electronic Publishing; Textbooks; Course Content; Usability; Value Added Models; Focus Groups; Teacher Surveys; Correlation; Multiple Regression Analysis; Preferences; Educational Quality; Textbook Evaluation

1835-9132

This case study examines faculty attitudes related to using electronic texts in business classes. The following areas of faculty opinion were evaluated: comfort level when using the technology, content quality, technical ease of use, and value added to the classroom teaching experience. The research consisted of a focus group with seven faculty members that use electronic texts and followed up with a survey that was completed by 13 faculty members among 27 that taught using electronic textbooks for their classes. Correlation was used to identify variables with strong relationships. Multiple regression was used to identify which independent variables accounted for significant levels of variance in each dependent variable and by how much. The results of the research showed that high levels of perceived quality of the electronic materials combined with a perception of a system that is easy to use were linked to high levels of faculty satisfaction. The results also indicate a preference for electronic texts that suggests a positive shift in faculty attitudes. This research indicates that the improving quality of online texts will be key to greater faculty acceptance.

As Provided

26

2018

EJ1183297