Sharion Thompson

One way to motivate is to treat them as the professionals they are. Most online instructors carry a Master's at the minimum. I have worked for some colleges who use threats of not getting another class if they do not do this....this technique, I have found, managing instructors drives them to work for other colleges.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Jeannine,
There are many different ways to approach instructor motivation. The first thing is that they need to see themselves as a part of the instructional team and that they are an essential link in the educational sequence. In other words they need to see that they are valued and valuable. Another way is to talk with them and see their input on what support they feel they need to be successful. The personal attention from a supervisor in a non-evaluative format is a great way to do this. Also, since instructors are human you can bring in snacks now and then, take them to lunch, have a pizza party in the evening between classes or anything like this to promote interaction between and among the faculty.
All individuals like to see themselves as being valuable and needed. The more you can do this the greater their buy in and motivation will be.
I didn't mention salary increases because for most situations this is not an option but if it is of course this can be a big motivator.
Gary