Diversity and inclusion are vital practices in today's educational environments, both online and in-person. Implementing inclusive practices to support student development is critical to ensure they receive the best possible education and feel comfortable in the classroom. With the current shift to online teaching and learning, it is especially important to consider how diversity and equity are promoted in these new technological spaces. Advancing DEI and Creating Inclusive Environments in the Online Space considers the process of creating a caring and inclusive teaching and learning environment in online postsecondary institutions by addressing key issues such as creating sites of collaboration and engagement, ensuring and proactively delivering resources and student support, and developing hallmarks of inclusivity to support online course design and faculty development. Covering a range of topics such as strategic planning, social change, and assessment, this reference work is ideal for administrators, higher education faculty, researchers, scholars, practitioners, academicians, instructors, and students.

Educators are finding that communication and interaction are at the core of a successful web-based classroom. This interactivity fosters community, which contributes to effective and meaningful learning. Positive online communities and the communication therein encourage students to interact with others' views which not only grows one's empathy, but is an integral part of constructivist learning theories. Because of this, the most important role of an educator in an online class is one that ensures student interactivity and engagement. Creating Teacher Immediacy in Online Learning Environments addresses the most effective models and strategies for nurturing teacher immediacy in web-based and virtual learning environments. A number of innovative methods for building an authentic, personalized online learning experience are outlined and discussed at length within this publication, providing solutions for pre-service as well as in-service educators. This book is a valuable compilation of research for course designers, faculty, students of education, administration, software designers, and higher education researchers.

The evolution of information technologies, mobile devices, and social media as well as the needs of students, workers, and academics have experienced rapid changes in the past several years. This complex and dynamic reality requires new forms of delivery of learning content to students, the building of special learning environments, and new teaching methodologies for academics. Opening Up Education for Inclusivity Across Digital Economies and Societies is an essential reference source that aims to foster the international exchange of academic insights and approaches in order to broaden visibility in the development of technology for education, establish an international platform for interactions on information technology and application in education, accelerate innovation in education technology, and analyze the latest achievements and progress in new and emerging information technology for education with a special focus on higher education institutions. The book addresses applications of technology use and digital competence development in education systems around the world including both specific uses in classrooms and broader uses in national and regional policies. The book is ideally designed for educators, administrators, policymakers, managers, politicians, and academicians.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated growth in online education across the world. While the online classroom experience has been written about extensively, the outside of class experience and student services for those learning remotely has received little attention. This book provides College and university personnel with research, theoretical foundations, and best practice to support and engage online learners. In this edited collection, authors from across the globe present case studies in various contexts including a large state university system, a growing public master's degree, two private institutions, and a Scottish institution. Various theoretical constructs are provided to help inform practices for supporting online students including Wenger's 'communities of practice', Garrison's 'communities of inquiry', and the Dynamic Student Development Metatheodel. Understanding that all students encounter different challenges, the volume also covers the different needs of specific student populations throughout their online experiences and concludes with a discussion about the importance of inclusion for students with disabilities.

Keeping students engaged and receptive to learning can, at times, be a challenge. However, by implementing new pedagogical methods and tools, instructors can strengthen the drive to learn among their students. Fostering Effective Student Communication in Online Graduate Courses is a pivotal reference source for the latest research findings on the novel techniques and strategies for nurturing communication between students and faculty in virtual learning environments. Featuring extensive coverage on relevant areas such as collaborative work, academic advising, and student retention, this publication is an ideal resource for educators across all disciplines and levels, as well as educational administrators.

Kids will love the unique variety of activities that help them apply the Bible to their lives. The NIrV Seek and Explore Holy Bible helps children understand God's Word by using common ways that kids learn. Children are joined on their journey through the Bible by nine different animal friends who help them comprehend more about Scripture. Throughout the pages, the fun animal characters suggest activities like writing lists, creating art, and even playing games - that each help kids apply biblical principles to their lives. There are also hundreds of study helps throughout that explain select Bible verses to the reader. This Bible includes the complete New International Reader's Version (NIrV) which is written at a third-grade reading level and based on the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV). The NIrV is perfect for children learning to read and explore the Bible for the first time on their own. Features include: Full-color throughout Single-column text to help early readers Study helps to help explain the text Activities to help the child apply the Bible to their life 4 child-friendly Bible maps Presentation page Complete text of the easy-to-read New International Reader's Version (NIrV) of the Bible 8.5-point font size

Recent technological advances have opened new platforms for learning and teaching. By utilizing virtual spaces, more educational opportunities are created for students who cannot attend a physical classroom environment. Integrating an Awareness of Selfhood and Society into Virtual Learning is a pivotal reference source that discusses the latest scholarly perspectives on creating meaningful learning and sensory engagement in virtual learning spaces, and examines how selfhood is expressed in these environments. Highlighting emerging topics in education, such as gender considerations, leadership development, and situated learning, this book is ideally designed for professionals, practitioners, graduate students, and academics interested in the role of virtual reality in learning contexts.

As more classes move to online instruction, there is a need for research that shows the effectiveness of synchronous learning. Educators must guide students on how to use these new learning tools and become aware of the research trends and opportunities within these developing online and hybrid courses. Educational Technology and Resources for Synchronous Learning in Higher Education provides evidence-based practice on incorporating synchronous teaching tools and practice within online courses to enhance content mastery and community development. Additionally, the book presents a strong theoretical overview of the topic and allows readers to develop a more nuanced understanding of the benefits and constraints of synchronous learning. Covering topics such as game learning, online communication, and professional development, it is designed for online instructors, instructional designers, administrators, students, and researchers and educators in higher education, as well as corporate, military, and government sectors.

Mobile phones have become an integral part of society, as their convenience has helped democratize and revolutionize communication and the marketplace of ideas. Because of their ubiquity in higher education, undergraduate classrooms have begun to utilize smartphones and tablets as tools for learning. The Handbook of Research on Mobile Devices and Applications in Higher Education Settings explores and fosters new perspectives on the use of mobile applications in a classroom context. This timely publication will demonstrate the challenges that universities face when introducing new technologies to students and instructors, as well as the rewards of doing so in a thoughtful manner. This book is meant to present the latest research and become a source of inspiration for educators, administrators, researchers, app developers, and students of education and technology.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most schools had to suddenly shift from traditional face-to-face courses to blended, synchronous, and asynchronous instructional environments. The impact upon the immediacy of remote learning was overwhelming to many faculty, instructional facilitators, teachers, and trainers. Many faculty and trainers have experience with the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of online and blended learning environments, while many faculty and trainers also do not have this knowledge nor experience. As such, the collegial workspace has developed into a collaborative work environment wherein the faculty are helping faculty, partially because the instructional designer staff and learning advisors are overwhelmed with the number of course projects that must be moved from traditional face-to-face course environments into an online environment within a short period of time. The faculty are helping each other make this move, offering course design and development support and also instructional tips and tricks that will support successful blended and online experiences that enhance learning outcomes. Shifting to Online Learning Through Faculty Collaborative Support focuses on supporting and enhancing blended and distance learning course design and development, successful tips for course design and teaching, techniques for online learning, and embracing collegial mentorship and facilitative support for course and faculty success. This book highlights the strength of collegial bonds while discussing tools, methods, procedural efforts, styles of engagement, learning theories, assessment efforts, and even social learning engagement implementations in online learning. It provides information and lessons and embraces a long-term approach towards understanding institutional impact and collegial support. This book is valuable for school administrators, teachers, course designers, instructional designers, school faculty, business and administrative leadership, practitioners, stakeholders, researchers, academicians, and students interested in how faculty collaborative support is playing a critical role in improving and developing successful online learning.

As e-learning has evolved into a global change agent in higher education, it has become more diverse in its form and applications. Now that many institutions have implemented e-learning programs as part of their course offerings, it is essential for these institutions to fully grasp how best to facilitate continued improvements and accessibility in online education. The Handbook of Research on Building, Growing, and Sustaining Quality E-Learning Programs highlights several significant elements of e-learning, including program planning, quality standards, and online course development, as well as institutional, student, and faculty support. Serving as a critical resource for online and hybrid learning programs, this publication is designed for use by administrators, educators, instructional designers, and doctorate-level students in the field of education.

The growing interest in transnational cooperation in education across borders has different implications for developed and developing countries. It is true that globalization affects all societies, but not at the same speed and magnitude. Supporting Multiculturalism in Open and Distance Learning Spaces is a critical scholarly resource that examines cultural issues and challenges in distance education arising from the convergence of theoretical, administrative, instructional, communicational, and technological dimensions of global education. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as cultural diversity, interaction in distance education, and culturally sensitive intuitional design, this book is geared towards school administrators, universities and colleges, policy makers, organizations, and researchers.