EXAMINING INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNERS’ AND FACULTY MEMBERS’ RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND PERCEPTION OF CO-DESIGN HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS

Abstract

The instructional designer – faculty collaborative co-design process requires building rapport to effectively create a quality online course but limited research has been conducted within this context. Within the literature, the primary focus revolves around the instructional designer perspective but situates the faculty partner more as a recipient of the relationship rather than an equal contributor. This qualitative, multi-case study examined the co-design relationship of two instructional designer - faculty dyads co-creating online courses using two questions: How do instructional designers and faculty partners build a relationship during the co-design process? How do instructional designers and higher education instructors perceive this co-design relationship? Using interviews, observations, and document analysis, this study sought to develop a richer understanding of the experience of both partners, their relationship building strategies, and perceptions of the co-design relationship. Validity was maintained through transparency; member checking; audit trails; thick, rich descriptions; researcher reflexivity; prolonged field engagement; disconfirming evidence; member checking; and triangulation. Thematic analysis and document analysis were used for the data analysis process. Results suggest that the co-design dyads used rapport building strategies identified within multidisciplinary rapport literature to establish a partnership while collaboratively leading the course design, managing the project, and building the faculty partner’s skillset. The findings suggest that the two dyads regularly communicated with verbal and non-verbal components; created a personal connection by getting to know each other, being authentic, and having fun; shared the work through shared expectations and partnering in the design; and adapted to their partner’s needs. The findings provide definitions of rapport, indicator words of rapport, and descriptions of the dyad’s perception of the co-design relationship.