Home as Workplace: A Qualitative Case Study of Online Faculty Using Photovoice

Abstract

The present study examined how online faculty members structure their workspace in their homes and how their work situation affects their home environment. The case study’s goal, guided by an extension of Vischer's user-centered model of the work environment, was to address this research gap through interviews and using PhotoVoice, a technique in which participants take photos and are interviewed about them. Eighteen faculty members from a large online university were recruited through ads in the faculty newsletter. The inclusion criterion was that the individual must only work online. Interested individuals completed an email interview and emailed a photo of the area they considered <em>work</em>. Each participant was interviewed about his or her responses and photos for 15–20 min on the telephone. Many participants consciously separated their home and workplace through either utilizing a separate room/area or maintaining a work schedule that separated work and home through time management. However, the technology required for conducting their work (e.g., computer, printer, etc.) also played a strong role in the choice of maintaining a separate workspace; especially for full-time faculty. The use of PhotoVoice offered insights into how participants perceived and thought about their workspace. Of concern, for some faculty members was the surroundings within their defined workspace; having their books available and a beautiful view from their window were mentioned.

Bekerja dari rumah: implementasinya pada U-Learning selama pandemi virus Covid-19

“…Sedangkan hasil penelitian Stadtlander et al terhadap tenaga pengajar daring di perguruan tinggi menyatakan bahwa bekerja dari rumah dengan mengajar secara daring memiliki dampak positif yaitu adanya fleksibilitas dalam mengatur waktu bekerja, mengontrol gangguan dalam bekerja, dan berkurangnya stres karena harus menempuh perjalanan ke kampus setiap hari. Sedangkan dampak negatifnya yaitu kesepian dan kehilangan aspek sosial dalam bekerja (Stadtlander et al, 2017…”

“…Hasilnya adalah 64% partisipan memiliki ruang khusus untuk melaksanakan bekerja dari rumah dengan melakukan pembelajaran daring. Hasil penelitian ini mendukung penelitian Stadtlander et al (2017) yang memisahkan rumah dengan tempat kerja dengan menyediakan ruang khusus untuk bekerja dari rumah. Dengan memisahkan tempat kerja di rumah dengan aktivitas lainnya dapat menghindarkan partisipan dari gangguan aktivitas keluarga dan lingkungan sekitarnya.…”

“…Dalam menjalankan bekerja dari rumah, beberapa partisipan menjawab memperoleh keseimbangan antara bekerja di rumah dengan aktivitas keluarga. Hasil temuan ini mendukung hasil penelitian dari Dewi and Adiarsi (2020); Stadtlander et al (2017); and Golden et al (2006) tentang adanya keseimbangan hidup dalam bekerja jarak jauh dan kehidupan keluarga.…”

“…Foto tempat kerja memberikan gambaran pemahaman tentang bagaimana partisipan mempersepsikan tempat kerja di rumah (Stadtlander et. al.…”

Webinar-Based Capacity Building for Teachers: “Lifeblood in Facing the New Normal of Education”

“…Bao (2020) found out that learners have difficulty focusing in their online classes due to a number of distractions in their homes that cause their stress (Händel et al, 2020). Professional teachers share the same experience, specifically, their missing social connection at work instigated by the unusual setup (e.g web-based teaching) (Stadtlander et al, 2017, Stadtlander et al, 2014.…”