Synopses & Reviews
Building Online Learning CommunitiesThe second edition of the groundbreaking book Building Learning Communities in Cyberspaceby Rena Palloff and Keith Pratt has been completely updated and expanded to include the most current information on effective online course development and delivery. Palloff and Pratt share insights designed to guide readers, offering illustrative case studies, vignettes, and examples from a wide variety of successful online courses.
"The focus on community makes this volume distinctive in the literature about online teaching and learning. The authors' expertise spans the nitty-gritty, practical aspects of the virtual classroom with the larger questions and context of twenty-first century education. This book goes way beyond the how-to's of online education to a sophisticated consideration of the major challenges of teaching and learning."
—Anna DiStefano, provost, Fielding Graduate University
"This book captures the essence of a successful virtual learning experience for both students and teachers. Palloff and Pratt share valuable insights that only expert practitioners could so clearly explain."
—David Wicks, director of instructional technology, Seattle Pacific University
"As the physical and virtual worlds converge to become the 'real world' of teaching and learning, communities play increasingly important roles in bridging distances and differences. This book underscores the real value that communities bring to distributed learning experiences, and gives readers plenty of guidance and advice for creating communities that connect, engage, and inspire."
—Ellen Wagner, senior director, WW eLearning Solutions, Adobe Systems
"This book is a must-read for faculty who truly want to help students understand and apply knowledge, and thus prepare for life in the twenty-first century. Palloff and Pratt have reaffirmed their roles as educational leaders in the development of online learning communities, reminding us of the significant benefits of such communities to learners at all levels."
—Jack A. Chambers, executive director, Office of Organizational Learning Services, Florida Community College at Jacksonville
Review
" . . .the authors' central premise is that a collaborative learning community is the best vehicle for distance education." (
Journal of Continuing Higher Education, Fall 2007)
"There will be a range of 'ah ha' moments for the reader working with students in building online learning communities." (NACADA, Nov 20, 2007)
Review
"The focus on community makes this volume distinctive in the literature about online teaching and learning. The authors' expertise spans the nitty-gritty, practical aspects of the virtual classroom with the larger questions and context of twenty-first century education. This book goes way beyond the how-to's of online education to a sophisticated consideration of the major challenges of teaching and learning."
—Anna DiStefano, provost, Fielding Graduate University
"This book captures the essence of a successful virtual learning experience for both students and teachers. Palloff and Pratt share valuable insights that only expert practitioners could so clearly explain."
—David Wicks, director of instructional technology, Seattle Pacific University
"As the physical and virtual worlds converge to become the 'real world' of teaching and learning, communities play increasingly important roles in bridging distances and differences. This book underscores the real value that communities bring to distributed learning experiences, and gives readers plenty of guidance and advice for creating communities that connect, engage, and inspire."
—Ellen Wagner, senior director, WW eLearning Solutions, Adobe Systems
"This book is a must-read for faculty who truly want to help students understand and apply knowledge, and thus prepare for life in the twenty-first century. Palloff and Pratt have reaffirmed their roles as educational leaders in the development of online learning communities, reminding us of the significant benefits of such communities to learners at all levels."
—Jack A. Chambers, executive director, Office of Organizational Learning Services, Florida Community College at Jacksonville
Review
"An incredibly practical guide." (
Techweek)
"The authors point out many ways that online learners share in the responsibility for building and maintaining a sense of community." (Teaching Theology and Religion, 2/02)
Review
"A must read for anyone involved in or considering involvement in online, networked learning. Based on solid experience, the authors address the key issue of how to build and sustain learning communities in a networked environment--a subject too often ignored or slighted." —Donald J. MacIntyre, president, The Fielding Institute
"This book's practical approach and illustrative models will appeal to those seeking concrete guidance in every aspect of online course development. Palloff and Pratt present a thorough overview of the online course process, including course selection, design, and evaluation, and many of the technical issues that affect the entire process." —Kathleen M. Rose, distance education specialist, University of California Extension Online
"Colleges and universities are rushing into distance learning like lemmings, often without giving it serious thought. They should read this book if they truly want to realize its potential." —Efrem G. Mallach, associate professor, Department of Manufacturing and Management Information Systems, College of Management, University of Massachusetts at Lowell
Synopsis
"A must read for anyone involved in or considering involvement in online, networked learning. Based on solid experience, the authors address the key issue of how to build and sustain learning communities in a networked environment—a subject too often ignored or slighted."—Donald J. MacIntyre, president, The Fielding Institute"This book's practical approach and illustrative models will appeal to those seeking concrete guidance in every aspect of online course development. Palloff and Pratt present a thorough overview of the online course process, including course selection, design, and evaluation, and many of the technical issues that affect the entire process."—Kathleen M. Rose, distance education specialist, University of California Extension Online"Colleges and universities are rushing into distance learning like lemmings, often without giving it serious thought. They should read this book if they truly want to realize its potential."—Efrem G. Mallach, associate professor, Department of Manufacturing and Management Information Systems, College of Management, University of Massachusetts at Lowell Written for faculty, instructors, and trainers in any distance learning environment, Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace shows how to create a virtual classroom environment that helps students excel academically, while fostering a sense of community. This practical, hands-on guide 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 with subject matter
- Accounting for attAndance and participation
- Working with students who do not participate
- Understanding the signs of when a student is in trouble
- Building online communities that accommodate personal interaction
Based on many years of work in information systems and over five years of experience in on-line distance education, Rena M. Palloff and Keith Pratt share insights designed to guide readers through the steps of computer-mediated course design and implementation.
Synopsis
Building online communities that accommodate personal interaction Based on many years of work in information systems and over five years of experience in on-line distance education, Rena M. Palloff and Keith Pratt share insights designed to guide readers through the steps of computer-mediated course design and implementation.
Synopsis
Building Online Learning Communitiesfurther 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.
Synopsis
1999 Winner of the Philip E. Frandson Award for Literature in Continuing Higher Education, from the University Continuing Education Association"A must read for anyone involved in or considering involvement in online, networked learning."
--Donald J. MacIntyre, president, The Fielding Institute
"A thorough overview of the online course process, including course selection, design, and evaluation, and many of the technical issues that affect the entire process."
--Kathleen M. Rose, distance education specialist, University of California Extension Online
Written for faculty, instructors, and trainers in any distance learning environment, Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace shows how to create a virtual classroom environment that helps students excel academically, while fostering a sense of community. This practical, hands-on guide 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 with subject matter
- Accounting for attendance and participation
- Working with students who do not participate
- Understanding the signs of when a student is in trouble
- Building online communities that accommodate personal interaction
Based on many years of work in information systems and over five years of experience in online distance education, Rena Palloff and Keith Pratt share insights designed to guide readers through the steps of computer-mediated course design and implementation.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 195-200) and index.
About the Author
RENA M. PALLOFF, Ph.D., is managing partner of Crossroads Consulting Group and adjunct professor at John F. Kennedy University and the Organizational Design and Effectiveness program at the Fielding Institute, both in California. KEITH PRATT, Ph.D., is managing partner of Crossroads Consulting Group and assistant professor and chair of the Management Information Systems program at Ottawa University in Kansas.
Table of Contents
List of Exhibits.
Preface to the Second Edition.
Acknowledgments.
The Authors.
PART ONE: The Learning Community in Online Learning.
One: When Teaching and Learning Leave the Classroom.
Online Issues and Concerns.
Students Online.
Making the Transition and Establishing Presence.
The Search for Knowledge and Meaning in the Online Classroom.
Putting the Pieces Together.
New Approaches, New Skills.
Implications.
Two: Recontextualizing Community.
The Importance of Community.
Community Online.
The Element of Social Presence.
Coalescence and Belonging Online.
Recontextualizing Community.
Community in the Virtual Classroom.
Participation and Desired Outcomes in the Online Classroom.
Three: The Human Side of Online Learning.
The Need for Human Contact.
Connectedness and Coalescence.
Shared Responsibility, Rules, and Norms.
Roles and Participation.
Shadow Issues: The Issues We Simply Don't Want to Face.
Other Psychological Issues.
Ritual as the Psychological Expression of Community.
Spiritual Issues.
Culture and Language Issues.
Vulnerability, Ethics, and Privacy.
Final Thoughts.
Four: Practical Considerations in Online Learning.
About Time.
Group Size.
Cost and Other Administrative Issues.
Online Security.
Five: Managing the Relationship to Technology.
The Relationship of Person to Machine.
Technology as a Facilitative Tool.
Excuse Us, We Are Now Experiencing Technical Difficulties.
Six: Moving Teaching and Learning Online.
Effective Teaching and Learning in the Online Classroom.
Roles and Functions of the Instructor in the Online Classroom.
The Role of the Learner in the Learning Process.
The Hybrid Course and Online Community.
Moving to Specifics.
PART TWO: TEACHING AND LEARNING IN THE VIRTUAL LEARNING COMMUNITY.
Seven: Building Foundations.
Creating an Effective Course Design.
Constructing the Online Course Site.
If You Build It, Will They Come?
Final Thoughts.
Guiding Questions to Assist in Building an Effective Course Syllabus.
Evaluating an Effective Online Course.
Eight: Promoting Collaborative Learning.
Formulating a Shared Goal for Learning.
Problems, Interests, and Experiences as Springboards for Learning.
Dialogue as Inquiry.
Encouraging Expansive Questioning.
Sharing Responsibility for Facilitation.
Promoting Feedback.
Intergroup and Other Forms of Collaboration.
Final Thoughts.
Guiding Questions to Promote Collaborative Learning.
Nine: Transformative Learning.
The Process of Transformative Learning in the Online Classroom.
Learning About Learning Through the Use of Technology.
Creating Opportunities to Encourage Reflection on the Differences.
Learning About Technology by Using It.
Encouraging Questions and Comments About the Technology.
Self-Reflection.
Final Thoughts: We Are the Experts When It Comes to Our Own Learning.
Guiding Questions to Promote Transformative Learning.
Ten: Student Assessment and Course Evaluation.
Assessment and Evaluation Basics.
Student Performance.
Course Evaluation.
Program Evaluation.
Final Thoughts.
Questions to Consider in Student, Course, and Program Evaluation.
Eleven: Lessons Learned and a Look Ahead.
The Six Essential Elements.
The Essence of Online Learning: Community.
Unresolved Issues and Unanswered Questions.
Lessons Learned and a Look to the Future.
Extending Community Beyond the Classroom.
Implications for Instructor Training.
APPENDIX A: Examples of Course Syllabi.
APPENDIX B: Glossary of Terms Used in Online Learning.
APPENDIX C: Internet Resources for Distance Education.
References.
Index.