Distance Learning in Higher Education

by Rovai, Alfred P.; Ponton, Michael K.; Baker, Jason D.

• ISBN13: 9780807748787
• ISBN10: 0807748781
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-07-01
• Publisher: Teachers College Pr

Summary

This useful resource describes best practices for designing online programs and courses. Translating research on the learning characteristics of adult university students and their experiences with online learning into practical guidelines, the authors address topics such as: program and course planning, design and delivery; multicultural and gender issues; program evaluation; student evaluation of online teaching, and institutional and program accreditation. The text includes resources such as online course materials and assessment tasks that are culturally responsive and implement the strategies presented in the book. Providing a roadmap for those wishing to design and implement a distance learning program, this up-to-date volume explains how to facilitate and moderate interactions using a constructivist approach, presents strategies that respond to race- and gender-related challenges, provides a model for evaluating distance education programs, identifies strategies that promote valid and reliable evaluations of online teaching, and addresses institution and distance education program accreditation issues.

Author Biography

Alfred P. Rovai teaches online courses in statistics, strategic planning, and program evaluation in blended EdD and PhD programs at the School of Education, Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Purpose and Organization	p. x
Acknowledgments	p. xi
Concepts of Distance Learning	p. 1
Background	p. 1
Theoretical Foundations	p. 3
Electronic Tools	p. 14
Conclusion	p. 15
Gender	p. 16
Background	p. 16
Gendered Impacts of Online Technologies	p. 17
Gender-Specific Teaching Roles	p. 19
Gender-Specific Learning Differences	p. 20
Strategies for Overcoming Gender Challenges to Learning	p. 24
Conclusion	p. 27
Culture	p. 29
Background	p. 29
Situational Challenges	p. 31
Dispositional Challenges	p. 35
Multicultural Education	p. 39
Conclusion	p. 43
Strategic Planning	p. 46
Background	p. 47
Identification of Program Need	p. 47
The Strategic Planning Process	p. 49
Distance Education Challenges and Strategies	p. 53
Conclusion	p. 60
Program and Course Design	p. 62
Background	p. 62
Program and Course Design Models	p. 63
Instructional Design Approaches	p. 70
Online Learning Technologies	p. 71
Copyright and Fair Use Standards	p. 75
Accessibility in Distance Education	p. 77
Conclusion	p. 78
Assessment of Student Learning	p. 79
Background	p. 80
Types of Assessments	p. 82
Academic Dishonesty	p. 89
Conclusion	p. 91
Online Discussions	p. 93
Background	p. 94
Planning Student Engagement	p. 95
Conducting Online Discussions	p. 103
Conclusion	p. 106
Program Evaluation	p. 108
Background	p. 108
Evaluability Assessment	p. 110
Types of Evaluation	p. 117
Standards and Benchmarks	p. 120
Conclusion	p. 122
Institution and Program Accreditation	p. 123
Background	p. 123
Accreditation Process	p. 125
Distance Education	p. 127
Conclusion	p. 131
Course Evaluation	p. 133
Background	p. 133
Multistage Course Evaluation Model	p. 138
Conclusion	p. 144
Summary and Conclusion	p. 146
Concepts of Distance Learning	p. 146
Gender	p. 149
Culture	p. 149
Strategic Planning	p. 150
Program and Course Design	p. 151
Assessment of Student Learning	p. 151
Online Discussions	p. 152
Program Evaluation	p. 153
Institution and Program Accreditation	p. 153
Course Evaluation	p. 154
Conclusion	p. 155
Example Extract from a Strategic Plan	p. 165
Analytic Participation Rubric	p. 166
Evidence of Quality Distance Learning Programs	p. 167
Glossary	p. 173
References	p. 179
Index	p. 197
About the Authors	p. 211
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