The Theory and Practice of Online Learning

The Theory and Practice of Online Learning, second edition

Edited by Terry Anderson

May 2008
Softcover
978-1-897425-08-4 (SC)

May 2008
E-Book
978-1-897425-07-7 (e-book)

Copyright: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. It may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes, provided that the original author is credited.

Athabasca University Press is pleased to announce the publication of the 2nd edition of the Theory and Practice of Online Learning edited by Terry Anderson. This 2nd edition and its individual chapters continue to be freely available online under a Creative Commons license. The 2nd edition is also available in print for a purchase price of $39.95 Canadian, or you can download the eBook free of charge.

In the second edition, every chapter in the widely distributed first edition has been updated, and four new chapters on current issues such as connectivism and social software innovations have been added. Essays by practitioners and scholars active in the complex, diverse, and rapidly evolving field of distance education blend scholarship and research; practical attention to the details of teaching and learning; and mindful attention to the economics of the business of education.

About the Author

Terry Anderson is a professor and Canada Research Chair in Distance Education at Athabasca University. He has published extensively in the area of distance education and educational technology.

Table of Contents

FRONT MATTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD TO THE SECOND EDITION

INTRODUCTION

PART I: Role and Function of Theory in Online Education Development and Delivery

Chapter 1. Foundations of Educational Theory for Online Learning

Mohamed Ally

Chapter 2. Towards a Theory of Online Learning

Terry Anderson

Chapter 3. Situating Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) in an Online Learning Environment

Dianne Conrad

Chapter 4. Understanding e-Learning Technologies-in-Practice through Philosophies-in-Practice

Heather Kanuka

PART II: Infrastructure and Support for Content Development

Chapter 5. Developing an Infrastructure for Online Learning

Alan Davis, Paul Little & Brian Stewart

Chapter 6. Technologies of Online Learning (E-learning)

Rory McGreal & Michael Elliott

Chapter 7. Characteristics of Interactive Online Learning Media

Patrick. J. Fahy

Chapter 8. “In-Your-Pocket” and “On-the-Fly:” Meeting the Needs of Today’s New Generation of Online Learners

Maureen Hutchison, Tony Tin & Yang Cao

Chapter 9. Social Software to Support Distance Education Learners

Terry Anderson

PART III: Design and Development of Online Courses

Chapter 10. The Development of Online Courses

Dean Caplan & Rodger Graham

Chapter11. Value Added – The Editor in Design and Development of Online Courses

Jan Thiessen & Vincent Ambrock

Chapter 12. Making Relevant Financial Decisions about Technology in Education

David Annand

Chapter 13. The Quality Dilemma in Online Education Revisited

Nancy K. Parker

PART IV: Delivery, Quality Control, and Student Support of Online Courses

Chapter 14. Teaching in an Online Learning Context

Terry Anderson

Chapter 15. Call Centres in Distance Education

Alex Z. Kondra, Colleen Huber, Kerri Michalczuk & Andrew Woudstra

Chapter 16. Library Support for e-Learners: e-Resources, e-Services, and the Human Factors

Kay Johnson, Houda Trabelsi & Elaine Fabbro

Chapter 17. Supporting the Online Learner

Susan D. Moisey & Judith A. Hughes

Chapter 18. Developing Team Skills and Accomplishing Team Projects Online

Deborah Hurst & Janice Thomas