Facilitating Learning in Online Environments (PDF)

This volume presents models, methods, and strategies thatfacilitate and promote learning within onlineenvironments.Arguing that success in online environments isdependent on the role of autonomy in order to create sustained andenduring learners, the introductory chapter presents currentresearch and identifies ways through which autonomous learning isestablished within the learning environment.

Contributors demonstrate how quality online programs aremade up of a "blend" of technology, pedogogy, organization,strategy, and vision; explore the concept of online socialpresence as a significant factor in improving instructionaleffectiveness and contributing to a feeling of community amonglearners; and offer strategies for instructors facingthe new challenges and opportunities of the online educationalexperience. Two chapters examine master's level online programmingby exploring a model through which the design templatefor one such program was built and presenting theactual experiences students who completed master's degreesonline.

Editor Steven R. Aragon joins his colleagues to make thecase that instructional designers need ways to support qualityteaching and learning within online environments that take intoaccount the variability in student learning styles, provideexternal motivation for the isolated students, and build community,collaboration, and communications among learners. Finally,contributors from the field analyze the impact that onlinetechnology is having on training and development initiatives ofbusiness and industry and demonstrate how current trends havecultivated an environment open to online learning.

This is the 100th issue of the Jossey Bass series NewDirections for Adult and Continuing Education.