Theoretical Insights into Work–Life Balance of College Teachers in the Era of ICT and Online Education

Abstract

Work Life Balance (WLB) is a critical issue among the college teachers in the modern academic set-up, especially with the growing adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and online learning. Digital platforms, virtual classes, learning management systems, and online communication tools have changed the teaching-learning process considerably in higher learning institutions. Although ICT has presented potentials of flexibility in learning and enhanced access to educational materials, it has also created more work and the work life boundary between the teachers has been blurred. College professors usually cannot avoid creating online material, teaching online courses, grading online papers, and staying online and available to the learners in a number of different ways. These duties can be beyond the normal working hours and put one with difficulties of balancing between work and the personal life. In theoretical terms theories like role theory and boundary theory describe the situation of multiple professional and personal roles becoming the cause of role conflict and stress in case the boundaries are not established. The female college educators especially can feel the extra strain when they have to care about academic tasks and family and social life. A good work-life balance in a classroom with ICT facilities is thus critical towards the well being of teachers, job satisfaction as well as professional performance. These theoretical components would ensure that institutions come up with favorable policies and plans that would facilitate healthy