Virtual And Classroom Learning In Higher Education A Guide To Effective Online Teaching

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has prompted educators to utilize online learning resources in order to comply with public health and social distancing mandates. The transition to virtual classrooms has created several opportunities and challenges for all stakeholders involved in the educational ecosystem. The ability of the classroom instructor to impart learning to students requires considerable adjustments from both students and teachers, which can be a new experience for educational professionals. Virtual and Classroom Learning in Higher Education serves as a handy guide for instructors to effective online teaching with a focus on higher education. The book presents reviews on different aspects of online teaching, distilling key findings in an easy to understand manner for the reader. It provides educators with knowledge which familiarizes them with online teaching models and concepts (such as micro-learning, synchronous and asynchronous learning, online pedagogy, dynamic learning experience and more). Chapters are contributed by experts in online learning and cover the topic from different angles, giving the reader a broad perspective on virtual classrooms. Virtual and Classroom Learning in Higher Education is an essential read for administrators and educators involved in higher education settings, and general readers who are interested in widening their view of the online teaching model.

Building Online Learning Communities further explores the development of virtual classroom environments that foster a sense of community and empower students to take charge of their learning to successfully achieve learning outcomes. This is the second edition of the groundbreaking book by Rena Palloff and Keith Pratt and has been completely updated and expanded to include the most current information on effective online course development and delivery. A practical, hands-on guide, this resource is filled with illustrative case studies, vignettes, and examples from a wide variety of successful online courses. The authors offer proven strategies for handling challenges that include: Engaging students in the formation of an online learning community. Establishing a sense of presence online. Maximizing participation. Developing effective courses that include collaboration and reflection. Assessing student performance. Written for faculty in any distance learning environment, this revised edition is based on the authors many years of work in faculty development for online teaching as well as their extensive personal experience as faculty in online distance education. Rena M. Palloff and Keith Pratt share insights designed to guide readers through the steps of online course design and delivery.

Lessons from the Virtual Classroom, Second Edition The second edition of the classic resource Lessons from theCyberspace Classroom offers a comprehensive reference forfaculty to hone their skills in becoming more effective onlineinstructors. Thoroughly revised and updated to reflect recentchanges and challenges that face online teachers, Lessons fromthe Virtual Classroom is filled with illustrative examples fromactual online courses as well as helpful insights from teachers andstudents. This essential guide offers targeted suggestions fordealing with such critical issues as evaluating effectivecourseware, working with online classroom dynamics, addressing theneeds of the online student, making the transition to onlineteaching, and promoting the development of the learningcommunity. Praise for Lessons from the Virtual Classroom,Second Edition "Palloff and Pratt demonstrate their exceptional practicalexperience and insight into the online classroom. This is aninvaluable resource for those tasked with creating an onlinecourse." — D. Randy Garrison, professor, University of Calgary, andauthor, Blended Learning in Higher Education: Framework,Principles, and Guidelines "Faculty will deeply appreciate and make use of the manyexplicit examples of how to design, prepare, and teach both blendedand fully online courses." — Judith V. Boettcher, faculty coach and author, TheOnline Teaching Survival Guide: Simple and Practical PedagogicalTips "Lessons from the Virtual Classroom is filled withinsightful caveats and recommendations, pointed examples to enhanceyour practice, succinct summaries of the research, and engagingvisual overviews. Each page brings the reader a renewed sense ofconfidence to teach online as well as personal joy that there isfinally a resource to find the answers one is seeking." — Curtis J. Bonk, professor of education, IndianaUniversity-Bloomington, and author, Empowering Online Learning:100+ Activities for Reading, Reflecting, Displaying, andDoing

Whether taking classes in school, college or university, or in a corporate training setting, it is likely that learners will be expected to do at least part of their studies via the computer. This book provides realistic guidelines to ensure their success in the virtual learning environment. From detailing tools such as WebCT and Blackboard, to overcoming personal barriers to success in distance learning, this handy text deals with issues that readers of any age, stage or situation are likely to encounter by: * demystifying terms and concepts common to online learning * addressing issues of online ethics such as netiquette, plagiarism and software piracy * offering practical advice on interacting effectively online, submitting assignments and doing research * furnishing numerous links to Web pages and other resources for further study and research. The author offers serious and humorous anecdotes to help readers avoid the pitfalls and capitalize on opportunities that will help them become a successful online student. Current and prospective online learners will greatly benefit from this practical book filled with clear, detailed assistance for learning online.

Answering the question how to study effectively in the online education is one of the main topics on the implementation of type of studies. The new teachers and students’ roles, the online communication, procrastination, distractions, mental well-being, time management or to find the answer to the question how to be a successful Online Learner are the basic points explained in this volume. The COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to online learning and highlighted also the need to raise the quantity and quality of the educational technology. The principles of online education are further elaborated in this book, which readers are invited to read chronologically, or as a reference based on their needs to learn more about key aspects to be considered to benefit most from the digital learning.

The surge in enrollment for online courses is continually increasing. However, beneath the convenience lies a challenge that demands a resolution. Educators, administrators, and instructional designers must ensure that the human element is not lost in the virtual corridors of learning. Students with diverse backgrounds and learning needs require more than a simple virtual classroom. Research reveals a concerning trend: high attrition rates in online courses, often attributed to a lack of engagement and insufficient human interaction. To reverse this trend, deliberate measures must be taken to humanize the online learning environment. This book provides several solutions, offering an array of tools and strategies to promote engagement and infuse the human touch into online spaces. To confront this multi-layered challenge, it becomes paramount to undertake deliberate measures aimed at humanizing the online learning environment. Humanizing Online Teaching and Learning in Higher Education steps forward as a guide, offering an extensive array of tools and strategies meticulously crafted to foster student engagement and infuse the essential human touch into the digital educational landscape.

This timely volume documents the immediate, global impacts of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on teaching and learning in higher education. Focusing on student and faculty experiences of online and distance education, the text provides reflections on novel initiatives, unexpected challenges, and lessons learned. Responding to the urgent need to better understand online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, this book investigates how the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) impacted students, faculty, and staff experiences during the COVID-19 lockdown. Chapters initially look at the challenges faced by universities and educators in their attempts to overcome the practical difficulties involved in developing effective online programming and pedagogy. The text then builds on these insights to highlight student experiences and consider issues of social connection and inequality. Finally, the volume looks forward to asking what lessons COVID-19 can offer for the future development of online and distance learning in higher education. This engaging volume will benefit researchers, academics, and educators with an interest in online teaching and eLearning, curriculum design, and more, specifically those involved with the digitalization of higher education. The text will also support further discussion and reflection around pedagogical transformation, international teaching and learning, and educational policy more broadly.