Learning Engineering for Online Education is a comprehensive overview of the emerging field of learning engineering, a form of educational optimization driven by analytics, design-based research, and fast-paced, large-scale experimentation. Chapters written by instructional design and distance learning innovators explore the theoretical context of learning engineering and provide design-based examples from top educational institutions. Concluding with an agenda for future research, this volume is essential for those interested in using data and high-quality outcome evidence to improve student engagement, instructional efficacy, and results in online and blended settings.

Just a decade ago, the notion of attending high school on the Internet seemed futuristic. Yet, today, thousands of students are doing just that. This authoritative volume is the first to provide a thorough, detailed account of the virtual high school. Based on a 5-year study conducted by experienced researchers at SRI International, this book answers such questions as: What is the difference between an online and a face-to-face classroom? What is it like to take, or to teach, an online course? Are online courses effective? What are the problems with its use? Will this new technology change the way teaching and learning is done? Providing invaluable insight into an increasingly popular educational technology, this book: Examines the phenomenal growth of virtual high schooling, especially through the lens of one of the pioneering efforts--the Hudson Public Schools-Concord Consortium Virtual High School (VHS). Draws on a massive research study that includes surveys, focus groups, classroom observations, and interviews with superintendents, principals, teachers, students, and leaders of many virtual high schools. Provides a balanced perspective that addresses both the strengths and weaknesses of online learning, including lessons learned. Provides crucial information to assist educators and policymakers in creating, adapting, and learning how to effectively use these new online schools. Examines the implications that online schooling has for the future of education.

Drawing from the information presented at conference sponsored by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Technology in Education Consortium, leading educators, researchers, and policymakers, "Scaling Up Success" translate, theory into practice and provide, a hands-on resource that clearly describes different models for "scaling up" success. This important resource is filled with illustrative examples of best practices that are grounded in real-life case studies of technology-based educational innovation3/4from networking a failing school district in New Jersey to using computer visualization to teach scientific inquiry in Chicago. "Scaling Up Success" show how the lessons learned from technology-based educational innovation can be applied to other school improvement efforts.

With an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) training, Teacher Learning in the Digital Age examines exemplary models of online and blended teacher professional development, including information on the structure and design of each model, intended audience, and existing research and evaluation data. From video-based courses to just-in-time curriculum support platforms and MOOCs for educators, the cutting-edge initiatives described in these chapters illustrate the broad range of innovative programs that have emerged to support preservice and in-service teachers in formal and informal settings. "As teacher development moves online," the editors argue, "it's important to ask what works and what doesn't and for whom," They address these questions by gathering the feedback of many of the top researchers, developers, and providers working in the field today. Filled with abundant resources, Teacher Learning in the Digital Age reveals critical lessons and insights for designers, researchers, and educators in search of the most efficient and effective ways to leverage technology to support formal, as well as informal, teacher learning.

This comprehensive and cutting-edge book portrays a vision of how digital media can help transform schools, and what kinds of curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, infrastructure, and learning environments are necessary for that transformation to take place. The author and his research team spent thousands of hours observing classes and interviewing teachers and students in both successful and unsuccessful technology-rich schools throughout the United States and other countries. Featuring lessons learned as well as analysis of the most up-to-date research, they offer a welcome response to simplistic approaches that either deny the potential of technology or exaggerate its ability to reform education simply by its presence in schools. Challenging conventional wisdom about technology and education, Learning in the Cloud: Critically examines concepts such as the digital divide, 21st-century skills, and guide on the side for assessing and guiding efforts to improve schools. Combines a compelling vision of technology's potential to transform learning with an insightful analysis of the curricular challenges required for meaningful change. Discusses the most recent trends in media and learning, such as the potential of tablets and e-reading.

With an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) training, Teacher Learning in the Digital Age examines exemplary models of online and blended teacher professional development, including information on the structure and design of each model, intended audience, and existing research and evaluation data. From video-based courses to just-in-time curriculum support platforms and MOOCs for educators, the cutting-edge initiatives described in these chapters illustrate the broad range of innovative programs that have emerged to support preservice and in-service teachers in formal and informal settings. "As teacher development moves online," the editors argue, "it's important to ask what works and what doesn't and for whom," They address these questions by gathering the feedback of many of the top researchers, developers, and providers working in the field today. Filled with abundant resources, Teacher Learning in the Digital Age reveals critical lessons and insights for designers, researchers, and educators in search of the most efficient and effective ways to leverage technology to support formal, as well as informal, teacher learning.

This comprehensive and cutting-edge book portrays a vision of how digital media can help transform schools, and what kinds of curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, infrastructure, and learning environments are necessary for that transformation to take place. The author and his research team spent thousands of hours observing classes and interviewing teachers and students in both successful and unsuccessful technology-rich schools throughout the United States and other countries. Featuring lessons learned as well as analysis of the most up-to-date research, they offer a welcome response to simplistic approaches that either deny the potential of technology or exaggerate its ability to reform education simply by its presence in schools. Challenging conventional wisdom about technology and education, Learning in the Cloud: Critically examines concepts such as the digital divide, 21st-century skills, and guide on the side for assessing and guiding efforts to improve schools. Combines a compelling vision of technology's potential to transform learning with an insightful analysis of the curricular challenges required for meaningful change. Discusses the most recent trends in media and learning, such as the potential of tablets and e-reading.

This book describes the current state of the art of various types of immersive learning: in research, in practice, and in the marketplace. It discusses advanced approaches in the design and development for various forms of immersive learning environments, and also the emerging innovations in assessment and research in the field. In addition, it demonstrates the opportunities and challenges in implementing advances in VR and immersion at scale in formal and informal learning. We are living in a time of rapid advances in terms of both the capabilities and the cost of virtual reality, multi-user virtual environments, and various forms of mixed reality. These new media potentially offer extraordinary opportunities for enhancing both motivation and learning across a range of subject areas, student developmental levels, and educational settings. With the development of practical and affordable virtual reality and mixed reality, people now have the chance to experience immersive learning both in classrooms and informally in homes, libraries, and community centers. The book appeals to a broad readership including teachers, administrators, scholars, policy makers, instructional designers, evaluators and industry leaders.

How can professional development for teachers be more efficient and effective? This essential question lies at the heart of this timely and useful book. In an era marked by a heightened emphasis on school reform, the education and professional development of teachers is widely regarded as the keystone to educational improvement. Recently a bewildering array of online professional development programs has arisen. But how effective are these programs and how do they compare with one another? Inspired by a recent conference on usable knowledge at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, this book offers clear and practical answers to these and other questions about online professional development. The authors look closely at exemplary online programs, compare them carefully with one another, and draw helpful conclusions about them-both for those who develop online programs, and for teachers and administrators in search of professional development programs that make a difference.

This book describes the current state of the art of various types of immersive learning: in research, in practice, and in the marketplace. It discusses advanced approaches in the design and development for various forms of immersive learning environments, and also the emerging innovations in assessment and research in the field. In addition, it demonstrates the opportunities and challenges in implementing advances in VR and immersion at scale in formal and informal learning. We are living in a time of rapid advances in terms of both the capabilities and the cost of virtual reality, multi-user virtual environments, and various forms of mixed reality. These new media potentially offer extraordinary opportunities for enhancing both motivation and learning across a range of subject areas, student developmental levels, and educational settings. With the development of practical and affordable virtual reality and mixed reality, people now have the chance to experience immersive learning both in classrooms and informally in homes, libraries, and community centers. The book appeals to a broad readership including teachers, administrators, scholars, policy makers, instructional designers, evaluators and industry leaders.

The Digital Teaching Platform (DTP) brings the power of interactive technology to teaching and learning in classrooms. In this authoritative book, top researchers in the field of learning science and educational technology examine the current state of design and research on DTPs, the principles for evaluating them, and their likely evolution as a dominant medium for educational improvement. The authors examine DTPs in light of contemporary classroom requirements, as well as current initiatives such as the Common Core State Standards, Race to the Top, and the 2010 National Educational Technology Plan.

How can professional development for teachers be more efficient and effective? This essential question lies at the heart of this timely and useful book. In an era marked by a heightened emphasis on school reform, the education and professional development of teachers is widely regarded as the keystone to educational improvement. Recently a bewildering array of online professional development programs has arisen. But how effective are these programs and how do they compare with one another? Inspired by a recent conference on usable knowledge at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, this book offers clear and practical answers to these and other questions about online professional development. The authors look closely at exemplary online programs, compare them carefully with one another, and draw helpful conclusions about them-both for those who develop online programs, and for teachers and administrators in search of professional development programs that make a difference.

Learning Engineering for Online Education is a comprehensive overview of the emerging field of learning engineering, a form of educational optimization driven by analytics, design-based research, and fast-paced, large-scale experimentation. Chapters written by instructional design and distance learning innovators explore the theoretical context of learning engineering and provide design-based examples from top educational institutions. Concluding with an agenda for future research, this volume is essential for those interested in using data and high-quality outcome evidence to improve student engagement, instructional efficacy, and results in online and blended settings.