Assessing the Value of E-Learning Systems provides an extensive literature review pulling theories from the field of information systems, psychology and cognitive sciences, distance and online learning, as well as marketing and decision sciences. This book provides empirical evidence for the power of measuring value in the context of e-learning systems. ""Assessing the Value of E-Learning Systems"" offers a set of benchmarking tools, such as the Value-Satisfaction grids and LeVIS index, to help administrators of e-learning programs realize the key effective characteristics of their program. The book concludes with a ""cook book"" guidelines approach on how to implement the proposed theory and tools in the reader's own e-learning program.

Unlike most books regarding online education, this book is not about teaching; it is about effectively administering an online education program. Throughout the text, we provide case studies, examples, policies, and resources from actual institutions, which further enhance the value of this text. This book encompasses the issues and provides information on how to accomplish one specific task: successful online educational administration.

The application of technology in classroom settings has equipped educators with innovative tools and techniques for effective teaching practice. Integrating digital technologies at the elementary and secondary levels helps to enrich the students' learning experience and maximize competency in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Improving K-12 STEM Education Outcomes through Technological Integration focuses on current research surrounding the effectiveness, performance, and benefits of incorporating various technological tools within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classrooms. Focusing on evidence-based approaches and current educational innovations, this book is an essential reference source for teachers, teacher educators, and professionals interested in how emerging technologies are benefiting teaching and/or learning efficacy.

In recent decades, community colleges and universities have struggled with less funding, increased competition, and shrinking enrollment. Borderless online degrees offer opportunities to make higher education more accessible and to make foreign study without having to travel abroad an option. Lower cost, high retention, and reduced time to graduate are all key selling points for these degrees. Global Demand for Borderless Online Degrees is an essential research publication that provides the benefits, risks, and solutions for entering the borderless online degree market and discusses novel online approaches that are cost-effective for higher education institutions and affordable for customers at home and abroad. This book describes innovative pedagogy in fused learning classrooms that builds relationship and promotes retention and student satisfaction. Featuring a wide range of topics such as community college, accreditation, and international education, this book is ideal for university presidents, provosts, rectors, chancellors, international educators, administrators, academicians, policymakers, researchers, and students.

All those involved in Higher Education are under pressure to familiarise themselves with the newest developments in Information Technology, and to understand the ways in which they can make use of these resources. The purpose of this book is to help academics from all disciplines to take full advantage of IT. Anticipating a future in which distance learning and virtual reality tutoring systems play a central role in university teaching, Roy Rada provides guidelines for making use of such technological opportunities. The chapters cover: * distance learning for individual students * groups in classrooms - focusing on interactive technology * the university as a whole * emerging market forces in Higher Education and training for industry Unlike competing books that focus on specific aspects of the subject, Understanding Virtual Universities combines managerial, social and technical issues, to provide a comprehensive approach to Information Technology for Higher Education.

In recent years, the use of information technologies, mobile devices, and social media, along with the evolving needs of students, professionals, and academics, has grown rapidly. New ways of bringing learning content to students, new learning environments, and new teaching practices are necessary to keep up with these changes. Assessing the Role of Mobile Technologies and Distance Learning in Higher Education provides a comprehensive understanding of m-learning processes by discussing challenges in higher education and the role of information technologies for effective learning. This reference book offers both real experiences and theoretical input for academicians, professionals, students, practitioners, policymakers, and managers.

Virtual worlds offer engaging, rich visual and auditory experiences to their users. In them, players guide computer-based avatars through virtual landscapes filled with realistic buildings, objects, characters, and the avatars of other players. In the commercial realm, games and online virtual communities attract millions of devoted fans who spend large amounts of time and money in these worlds. In recent years, interest in virtual worlds as platforms for instruction and training has rapidly grown as researchers and designers focus on their potential power as learning environments. Educational virtual worlds are designed to incorporate situated learning concepts of collaborative knowledge building among communities of learners in contexts that closely mimic the real world.

In this, the first text written specifically on how to design virtual worlds for educational purposes, the authors explore: the history and evolution of virtual worlds (commercial and educational), the theories behind the use of virtual worlds for learning, the design of curricula in virtual worlds, design guidelines for elements experienced in virtual worlds that support learning, and design guidelines for learning quests and activities in virtual worlds. They also examine the theories and associated design principles used to create embedded assessments in virtual worlds. Finally, they offer a framework and methodology to assist professionals in evaluating off-the-shelf virtual worlds for use in educational and training settings.

Networked learning is learning in which information and communications technology (ICT) is used to promote connections: between one learner and other learners; between learners and tutors; between a learning community and its learning resources. Networked learning is an area which has great practical and theoretical importance. It is a rapidly growing area of educational practice, particularly in higher education and the corporate sector.

This volume brings together some of the best research in the field, and uses it to signpost some directions for future work. The papers in this collection represent a major contribution to our collective sense of recent progress in research on networked learning. In addition, they serve to highlight some of the largest or most important gaps in our understanding of studentsa (TM) perspectives on networked learning, patterns of interaction and online discourse, and the role of contextual factors. The range of topics and methods addressed in these papers attests to the vitality of this important field of work. More significant yet is the complex understanding of the field that they combine to create. In combination, they help explain some of the key relationships between teachersa (TM) and learnersa (TM) intentions and experiences, the affordances of text-based communications technologies and processes of informed and intelligent educational change.

This is a volume in ""Perspectives in Instructional Technology and Distance Education Series"". Editors: Charles Schlosser and Michael Simonson of Nova Southeastern University. ""The Perfect Online Course: Best Practices for Designing and Teaching"" was edited under the assumption that a perfect online course can be delivered following different instructional methods and models for design and for instruction, and by implementing different teaching or instructional strategies. Such methods, models, and strategies are framed within quality educational guidelines and must be aimed towards attaining the online course's learning goals. The book seeks to make a contribution to the existing body of literature related to best practices and guidelines for designing and teaching distance courses, specifically online education. The process of selecting works suitable for this compilation included an extensive review of the journals ""Quarterly Review of Distance Education"" and ""Distance Learning"". The book begins by covering literature related to general approaches and guidelines, continues with proposed methods and models for designing and instruction, and ends with instructional strategies to achieve engagement through interaction. The book is divided into four independent, yet interrelated, parts and a concluding section: Part I: Introduction; Part II: Best Guidelines and Standards; Part III: Best Instructional Methods and Models; Part IV: Best Engagement Strategies; and the concluding section, And Finally..., with words from Simonson who delineates the structure of a perfect online course.

Online Learning, Instruction, and Research in Post-Pandemic Higher Education in Africa, edited by Martin Munyao, brings together interdisciplinary authors to address online learning, teaching online, educational technology, online/remote research, institutional collaboration in online higher education, and teaching STEM online. This book argues that beyond survival, universities need to adapt to technology-mediated communication learning to thrive. Disruptive technologies have recently proved to be means of thriving for institutions of higher learning. This is what one contributor calls 'switching to SIDE-mode.' They call for not just teaching for the sake of it, but teaching to communicate and to achieve the desired learning outcomes that seek to transform the whole person. Effective technology mediated teaching for communication does exactly that. Because universities are also research hubs, this book also addresses remote research. It reflects on how change in teaching and learning in Higher Education Institutions (HEI) has impacted Africa through digital transformation. In particular, institutions are collaborating more now than ever before. Finally, this book addresses the challenges of teaching STEM programs online in Africa.

This edited collection, the first of its kind, marries the two fastest-growing movements in higher education: service-learning and eLearning. While these two innovative pedagogies are widely assumed to be incompatible, this collection highlights their complementary approaches as a new teaching method for 21st Century learners. The collection offers a new pedagogical model-service-eLearning-defined as an integrative pedagogy that engages learners through technology in civic inquiry, service, reflection, and action. Service-learning, which focuses on involvement with local needs and reflective thinking, appears to contrast with eLearning, that implies autonomous education through technology. The goal of this edited collection is to consider how these two educational innovations have and can combine to further encourage civic engagement while meeting the demands of an increasingly global, competitive, and diverse educational marketplace. This edited collection, defines and addresses the emergent blending of service-learning and eLearning to create a new integrated pedagogical model: service-eLearning.Service-eLearning: Educating for Citizenship starts a conversation about the marriage of two powerful educational innovations. While readers of this collection may be familiar with existing work on servicelearning and technology use, this book demonstrates the potential of a new model which acknowledges eLearning as a pedagogy within its own right. The new model presented here blends eLearning pedagogy with existing approaches to service-learning. The result is an integrated pedagogical approach: Service-eLearning. As the work presented herein highlights, service-eLearning responds to the challenges of today's rapidly-changing, technology-mediated reality.

This reissue, first published in 1980, is based on the experiences of the International Extension College in developing distance teaching. The volume begins by reviewing the world problems of educational quality and quantity, and then examines the ways in which print, broadcasts and group study have been used to train teachers, to improve classroom education, to teach by correspondence out of school, and to support rural development. It then considers how that experience can be used, perhaps by creating a network of radio colleges, to supplement and extend existing schools and colleges. Finally, the book includes a descriptive and annotated bibliography of over 100 distance teaching projects in 65 third world countries.

Technology stimulates minds in ways that make a profound and lasting difference, especially in the classroom. It can be used to adapt curriculum to diverse learners or to express material in ways not possible prior to the creation of new technologies. Learning Tools and Teaching Applications through ICT Advancements provides research regarding introducing, collaborating, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating innovative contributions to the theory, practice, and research of technology education applicable to K-12 education, higher education, and corporate and proprietary education. It grows this body of research, proposing new applications of technology for teaching and learning, and documenting those practices that contribute irrefutable verification of information technology education as a discipline.

In April 1993, an interdisciplinary NATO Advanced Research Workshop on "Collaborative dialogue technologies in distance learning" was held in Segovia, Spain. The workshop brought together researchers in fields related to distance learning using computer-mediated communication. The statement of justification of the NATO ARW follows hereafter. Justification of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Collaborative Dialogue Technologies in Distance Learning Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) systems have features that reduce some temporal, physical and social constraints on communication. Theories of communication have shifted from viewing communication as a linear transmission of messages by a sender to a receiver, to viewing it as a social paradigm, where individuals are actors in a network of interdependent relationships embedded in organizational and social structures. Recent research focuses on models of information-sharing to support not only the activities of individuals but also the problem-solving activities of groups, such as decision-making, planning or co writing. This area of research is called Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW). The Artificial Intelligence (AI) approach uses knowledge-based systems to enhance and facilitate all these processes, including the possibility of using natural language. The traditional model of distance education places a strong emphasis on indepen dent study, supported by well developed learning materials. This model can be characterized as one-way media. However, the potential of CMC to provide better guidance to the student in Higher Distance Education has been quickly recognized for at least two kind of activities: information sharing and interaction."

Encourages children that doing your best to keep your word and be on time is not only the polite thing to do, it's also the right thing to do in this inspiring story from the Berenstain Bears Living Lights collection. The Bear family is a busy family. They have lots to do like getting to school and soccer practice and music lessons and the grocery store. They have to go to the doctor, the dentist, the vet, the barber, and even the beauty parlor every now and then. The trouble is, everyone is always running late. The family gathers around the Storybook Bible and learns a powerful lesson from Jonah, giving them a renewed purpose and focus. Inspired by the good advice from the Bible, Papa Bear comes up with a lateness plan ... but will the rest of the Bear family stick with it? The Berenstain Bears Bears on Time: Is an inspiring book from the bestselling The Berenstain Bears brand Gently encourages children 4-8 to think about their own manners and etiquette Is a welcome addition to the popular Zonderkidz Living Lights series with over 10 million copies sold since 2008

Despite increased interest in mobile devices as learning tools, the amount of available primary research studies on their integration into mathematics teaching and learning is still relatively small due to the novelty of these technologies. Integrating Touch-Enabled and Mobile Devices into Contemporary Mathematics Education presents the best practices in mathematics education research and teaching practice by providing an account of current and future trends and issues in mobile mathematics learning and associated technologies and educational methodologies. This edited volume approaches a broad audience including researchers and practitioners interested in the exploitation of mobile technologies in mathematics teaching and learning, as well as mathematics teachers at all levels. This premier reference source compiles the best practices and recommended processes for effectively utilizing the vast capabilities of mobile technologies in the mathematics classroom through a collection of chapters covering topics including, but not limited to, touch-enabled virtual mapping, perceptual learning technologies, mobile teaching, statistics apps for mobile devices, smartphones for the visually impaired, pedagogical and instructional design, and touch screen interfaces in algebraic instruction.

Distrust. Division. Disparity. Is our world in disrepair? Ethics and civics have always mattered, but perhaps they matter now more than ever before. Recently, with the rise of online teaching and movements like #PlayApartTogether, games have become increasingly acknowledged as platforms for civic deliberation and value sharing. We the Gamers explores these possibilities by examining how we connect, communicate, analyze, and discover when we play games. Combining research-based perspectives and current examples, this volume shows how games can be used in ethics, civics, and social studies education to inspire learning, critical thinking, and civic change. We the Gamers introduces and explores various educational frameworks through a range of games and interactive experiences including board and card games, online games, virtual reality and augmented reality games, and digital games like Minecraft, Executive Command, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, Fortnite, When Rivers Were Trails, Politicraft, Quandary, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The book systematically evaluates the types of skills, concepts, and knowledge needed for civic and ethical engagement, and details how games can foster these skills in classrooms, remote learning environments, and other educational settings. We the Gamers also explores the obstacles to learning with games and how to overcome those obstacles by encouraging equity and inclusion, care and compassion, and fairness and justice. Featuring helpful tips and case studies, We the Gamers shows teachers the strengths and limitations of games in helping students connect with civics and ethics, and imagines how we might repair and remake our world through gaming, together.

Games have been part of the entertainment industry for decades. Once only considered viable for personal entertainment, virtual gaming media is now being explored as a useful tool for learning and student engagement. The Handbook of Research on Serious Games for Educational Applications presents a comprehensive examination of the implementation of gaming in classroom settings and the cognitive benefits this integration presents. Highlighting theoretical, psychological, instructional design, and teaching perspectives, this book is a pivotal reference source for researchers, educators, professionals, and academics interested in the innovative opportunities of game-based learning.

This volume addresses challenges that the field of English language teacher education has faced in the past several years. The global pandemic has caused extreme stress and has also served as a catalyst for new ways of teaching, learning, and leading. Educators have relied on their creativity and resiliency to identify new and innovative teaching practices and insights that inform the profession going forward. Contributors describe how teacher educators have responded to the specific needs and difficulties of educating teachers and teaching second language learners in challenging circumstances around the world and how these innovations can transform education going forward into the future. Paving the way to a revitalized profession, this book is essential reading for the current and future generations of TESOL scholars, graduate students, and professors.

In recent years, the rampant development of worldwide communications and powerful modern technologies has reformulated the idea of distance learning and the transmission of higher education content. Combined with these new developments and the outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an apparent need for a thorough discussion on all features of e-learning. Online Distance Learning Course Design and Multimedia in E-Learning disseminates research, experiences, and philosophies surrounding innovation within higher education online teaching and learning environments. It includes case studies of relevant and fruitful applications, practical challenges, and examinations of the most recent innovations. Covering topics such as online management education, student engagement, and gamification, this book is an essential resource for academicians, researchers, educators, pre-service educators, principals, administrators, consultants, instructional designers, technologists, computer scientists, and policymakers.

Distance learning is now more prevalent in the developing world than ever before. This book reconsiders the suitability and success of established modes of distance learning for current contexts in the developing world. It examines what adaptations are necessary to suit shifting needs including:

• the move from elite to mass higher education
• increased emphasis on knowledge base economies
• greater demand for lifelong learning and professional development
• the effects of technical and societal changes
• demand for post-secondary education.

Drawing upon research into students conceptions of, and approaches to learning, this critical analysis of the state of open and flexible learning examines the characteristics, needs and learning approaches of students, considering whether or not current provision is successful, what changes are necessary, and, crucially, how student retention can be improved.