The Theory and Practice of Online Learning

Ebook

In this important collection of essays by practitioners and scholars that has been downloaded nearly half a million times is an overview of some of the most pressing issues in online education. By addressing transformations arising from educational technology advances and the new business conditions and modes of delivery of education, the contributors to The Theory and Practice of Online Learning provide insights into this complex, diverse, and rapidly evolving field.

Table of contents

Table of contents
COVER 1
TABLE OF CONTNETS 8
FOREWORD TO THE SECOND EDITION 12
INTRODUCTION 14
PART I: Role and Function of Theory in Online Education Development and Delivery 26
1. Foundations of Educational Theory for Online Learning 28
2. Towards a Theory of Online Learning 58
3. Situating Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) in an Online Learning Environment 88
4. Understanding e-Learning Technologies-in-Practice through Philosophies-in-Practice 104
PART II: Infrastructure and Support for Content Development 132
5. Developing an Infrastructure for Online Learning 134
6. Technologies of Online Learning (E-learning) 156
7. Characteristics of Interactive Online Learning Media 180
8. “In-Your-Pocket” and “On-the-Fly:” Meeting the Needs of Today’s New Generation of Online Learners with Mobile Learning Technology 214
9. Social Software to Support Distance Education Learners 234
PART III: Design and Development of Online Courses 256
10. The Development of Online Courses 258
11. Value Added – The Editor in Design and Development of Online Courses 278
12. Making Relevant Financial Decisions about Technology in Education 290
13. The Quality Dilemma in Online Education Revisited 318
PART IV: Delivery, Quality Control, and Student Support of Online Courses 354
14. Teaching in an Online Learning Context 356
15. Call Centres in Distance Education 380
16. Library Support for e-Learners: e-Resources, e-Services, and the Human Factors 410
17. Supporting the Online Learner 432
18. Developing Team Skills and Accomplishing Team Projects Online 454