| Abstrakt: |
Adjunct instructors comprise a majority of the professoriate in the United States, and research has shown that they are generally not provided adequate support by their institutions. Adjuncts rarely receive office space, technology, pedagogical support, or professional development opportunities from their institutions. Many studies have suggested that this under-support of adjuncts has led to diminished student success outcomes. A first step that can be taken by institutions to prepare their adjunct instructors to teach is the implementation of an orientation process specifically designed to address the unique needs and situations of these part-time instructors. This paper outlines how institutions can use a backward design approach to implement an adjunct orientation process that is specific to their instructor needs. Backwards design is a process that is utilized in higher education in many capacities and should be intuitive to leaders. The process involves first identifying desired outcomes, then establishing the current conditions, and finally developing a plan to reach the desired outcomes. Establishing an adjunct orientation process using this approach will allow leaders to support their instructors while also gaining a better understanding of the adjunct experience at their institution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
