The Design of Digital Learning Environments provides comprehensive guidelines for creating and delivering high-quality online and blended learning experiences in higher education. With increasing numbers of students engaged in partially or fully digital education, graduate students preparing for design, development, or faculty roles need fresh, practical applications of cutting-edge research and theory. This textbook uses the Community of Inquiry framework, an influential and invaluable pedagogical model focused on deep learning, to aid educators in forging meaningful, collaborative connections with students engaged in digitally supported multi-modal learning in colleges and universities, MOOCs, and lifelong learning initiatives. Across five sections, the book covers the basic structure, concepts, terminology, and history of the Community of Inquiry; principles for designing and delivering digital courses; design for specific course conditions; applications of learning activities guided by the framework; and current limitations and directions for further research.

The Design of Digital Learning Environments provides comprehensive guidelines for creating and delivering high-quality online and blended learning experiences in higher education. With increasing numbers of students engaged in partially or fully digital education, graduate students preparing for design, development, or faculty roles need fresh, practical applications of cutting-edge research and theory. This textbook uses the Community of Inquiry framework, an influential and invaluable pedagogical model focused on deep learning, to aid educators in forging meaningful, collaborative connections with students engaged in digitally supported multi-modal learning in colleges and universities, MOOCs, and lifelong learning initiatives. Across five sections, the book covers the basic structure, concepts, terminology, and history of the Community of Inquiry; principles for designing and delivering digital courses; design for specific course conditions; applications of learning activities guided by the framework; and current limitations and directions for further research.

An Introduction to Distance Education is a comprehensive look at the field of distance education, outlining current theories, practices, and goals that are essential to effective design, delivery, and navigation. As an alternative pedagogical approach, distance education is posited to meet the evolving demands for access, affordability, and quality in higher education. This fully revised and updated second edition reviews the history of distance education while addressing its current influence on the education sector. Utilizing a student-guided approach, chapters offer pedagogical features to engage and support the teaching and learning process, including: questions for reflection, review, and discussion: students can use these questions as triggers for further thoughts related to the topic. Instructors can use these questions for classroom and online discussion key quotations: strategically placed throughout the text, these points act as a springboard for further reflection and classroom discussion concept definitions: central concepts discussed in the text are defined for students at the end of each chapter. Driven by seminal contributors who are researching and shaping our understanding and practice of distance education today, An Introduction to Distance Education offers a solid foundation from which to explore and develop new approaches to designing and implementing online courses.

An Introduction to Distance Education is a comprehensive look at the field of distance education, outlining current theories, practices, and goals that are essential to effective design, delivery, and navigation. As an alternative pedagogical approach, distance education is posited to meet the evolving demands for access, affordability, and quality in higher education. This fully revised and updated second edition reviews the history of distance education while addressing its current influence on the education sector. Utilizing a student-guided approach, chapters offer pedagogical features to engage and support the teaching and learning process, including: questions for reflection, review, and discussion: students can use these questions as triggers for further thoughts related to the topic. Instructors can use these questions for classroom and online discussion key quotations: strategically placed throughout the text, these points act as a springboard for further reflection and classroom discussion concept definitions: central concepts discussed in the text are defined for students at the end of each chapter. Driven by seminal contributors who are researching and shaping our understanding and practice of distance education today, An Introduction to Distance Education offers a solid foundation from which to explore and develop new approaches to designing and implementing online courses.