Does your online instruction program sometimes feel like a constant scramble to keep pace with requests and deadlines? Modular design is the answer. Approaching projects, whether large and small, with an eye towards future uses will put you on the path to accomplishing broader, organizational goals. And by intentionally building documentation and structure into your process, you will create content that can easily be scaled, modified, adapted, and transformed to meet different learner needs. Hess, experienced in online instruction in both K-12 and academic libraries, shows you how, using project examples of various sizes to illustrate each chapter’s concepts. Her resource guides you through such topics as the eight components of modular online learning design; key considerations for choosing the design model that best fits your organization and project; techniques for connecting your online learning goals with institutional strategy; using the IDEA process to align OER content with your instructional needs; documenting your planning with checklists, scaffolds, and templates; ensuring equity of access with all content formats using the Accessibility Inventory Index; principles for scaling up, down, or laterally; three models for more meaningful and functional collaboration with internal or external partners; and formative testing as a foundation for ongoing evaluation and assessment.

In this book, we can read about new technologies that enhance training and performance; discover new, exciting ways to design and deliver content; and have access to proven strategies, practices and solutions shared by experts. The authors of this book come from all over the world; their ideas, studies, findings and experiences are beneficial contributions to enhance our knowledge in the field of e-learning. The book is divided into three sections, and their respective chapters refer to three macro areas. The first section of the book covers Instructional Design of E-learning, considering methodology and tools for designing e-learning environments and courseware. Also, there are examples of effective ways of gaming and educating. The second section is about Organizational Strategy and Management. The last section deals with the new Developments in E-learning Technology, emphasizing subjects like knowledge building by mobile e-learning systems, cloud computing and new proposals for virtual learning environments/platforms.

The term e-Learning is a neologism for CSCL systems that came about during the emergence of website e-learning modules. From an e-learning perspective, conventional e-learning systems were then based on instructional packets, which were delivered to students using assignments. Assignments were evaluated by the instructor. In contrast, the new e-learning places increased emphasis on social learning and use of social software such as blogs, wikis, podcasts and virtual worlds such as Second Life. This phenomenon has also been referred to as Long Tail Learning . E-learning by contrast to e-learning systems not based on CSCL, assumes that knowledge (as meaning and understanding) is socially constructed. Learning takes place through conversations about content and grounded interaction about problems and actions. Advocates of social learning claim that one of the best ways to learn something is to teach it to others. However, it should be noted that many early online courses, such as those developed by Murray Turoff and Starr Roxanne Hiltz in the 1970s and 80s at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, courses at the University of Guelph in Canada, the British Open University, and the online distance courses at the University of British Columbia (where Web CT, now incorporated into Blackboard Inc. was first developed), have always made heavy use of online discussion between students. Also, from the start, practitioners such as Harasim in 1995, have put heavy emphasis on the use of learning networks for knowledge construction, long before the term e-learning, let alone CSCL, was even considered. There is also an increased use of virtual classrooms (online presentations delivered live) as an online learning platform and classroom for a diverse set of education providers such as Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and Sachem, MN, School District. In addition to virtual classroom environments, social networks have become an important part of e-learning. Social networks have been used to foster online learning communities around subjects as diverse as test preparation and language education. Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) is a term used to describe using handheld computers or cell phones to assist in language learning. Some feel, however, that schools have not caught up with the social networking trends. Few traditional educators promote social networking unless they are communicating with their own colleagues. DLR Associates consulting group first became interested in e-learning modules at the annual Distance Learning Conference held at the University of Maine. I decided to offer e-learning services, since we were already evolved with computer-assisted education techniques. DLR Associates had been involved with CAE since computers were first used in engineering education. It was our hope a trend could be started towards blended learning services, where computer-based activities were integrated with practical or classroom-based situations. Dan Ryan Professor Emeritus Clemson University

Written in an informative and jargon-free style, this book is guided by principles of good practice and covers the relevant theory to deal with the essential aspects of designing a course. Important areas covered include:learning levels and outcomesaligning learning and teaching strategiesassessment methodscourse managementC&ITresources.In this concise guide, the authors look to the future in terms of integration of computing and technology in course design and consider the promotion of student learni.

"For those who think online learning can't be truly interactive, Patti Shank and her colleagues clearly demonstrate--in hundreds of examples--that it can. The real lesson in The Online Learning Idea Book is that technology doesn't build interactive learning; creative thinking and good, solid instructional design does. Using even a smidgen of the great ideas in this book will increase the learning effectiveness of any online program." --Marc J. Rosenberg, consultant, and author of Beyond E-Learning "Patti Shank has collected great ideas about online learning and teaching from all over the globe. If you are an online instructor or instructional designer looking for new ways to involve and engage your learners, you'll be inspired by this book!"--Terry Morris, associate professor, William Rainey Harper Colleges Filled with techniques, tools, tips, examples, resources, and dozens of "great ideas,? this invaluable resource helps people who are looking to build online instructional materials -- or improve existing materials -- discover and implement what the best and brightest in industry and education are doing to make online learning more engaging and compelling. Increase your know-how in the following areas: Look and Feel: how to increase ease-of-use Graphics and Multimedia: how to make instructional graphics engaging and compelling Activities: how to make instruction itself engaging and compelling Tools: how to use a variety of online tools Instructional Design: how to design better and faster.

Developments in online learning and its design are areas that continue to grow in order to enhance students’ learning environments and experiences. However, in the implementation of new technologies, the importance of properly and fairly overseeing these courses is often undervalued. Project Management Approaches for Online Learning Design boldly focuses on this unique area of virtual learning by adopting a theoretical point of view and discussing the planning, organizing, securing and managing of resources to bring about the successful completion of online learning goals and objectives. This reference source brings together project management based approaches with an exclusive focus on each online learning design project.

In the current educational environment, there has been a shift towards online learning as a replacement for the traditional in-person classroom experience. With this new environment comes new technologies, benefits, and challenges for providing courses to students through an entirely digital environment. With this shift comes the necessary research on how to utilize these online courses and how to develop effective online educational materials that fit student needs and encourage student learning, motivation, and success. The optimization of these online tools requires a deeper look into curriculum, instructional design, teaching techniques, and new models for student assessment and evaluation. Information on how to create valuable online course content, engaging lesson plans for the digital space, and meaningful student activities online are only a few of many current topics of interest for promoting student achievement through online learning. The Research Anthology on Developing Effective Online Learning Courses provides multiple perspectives on how to develop engaging and effective online learning courses in the wake of the rapid digitalization of education. This book includes topics focused on online learners, online course content, effective online instruction strategies, and instructional design for the online environment. This reference work is ideal for curriculum developers, instructional designers, IT consultants, deans, chairs, teachers, administrators, academicians, researchers, and students interested in the latest research on how to create online learning courses that promote student success.

The technical resources, budgets, curriculum, and profile of the student body are all factors that play in implementing course design. Learning management systems administrate these aspects for the development of new methods for course delivery and corresponding instructional design. Learning Management Systems and Instructional Design: Best Practices in Online Education provides an overview on the connection between learning management systems and the variety of instructional design models and methods of course delivery. This book is a useful source for administrators, faculty, instructional designers, course developers, and businesses interested in the technological solutions and methods of online education.

The explosion of digital technologies in the 21st century provided access to multiple robust inquiry, communication, and collaboration applications. The enhanced capabilities provide educational opportunities for engaging students in deeper and more thoughtful learning. Implementation of knowledge-building communities in educational experiences, however, requires new pedagogical strategies that are vastly different from the predominant teacher-directed pedagogies of the 20th century. Today’s teachers now must identify, orchestrate, and manage activities in their content areas in ways that successfully support students through activities such as engagement in knowledge-building communities. Blended Online Learning and Instructional Design for TPACK: Emerging Research and Opportunities is an essential research publication that examines the implementation of knowledge-building communities in educational experiences and pedagogical strategies that encourage engagement. Highlighting topics such as active participation, digital technologies, and online learning, this book is geared toward educators, educational designers, researchers, administrators, and academicians.