Description
For educational technology graduate students, Cleveland-Innes (distance education, Athabasca U., Canada) and Garrison (education, U. of Calgary, Canada) assemble 12 chapters that detail the current theories, practices, and goals of distance education, while reviewing the influence of past theory and practice and the transition to distance education in a post-industrial society. Academics working in education and technology in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Spain focus on the idea that the current era of distance education incorporates collaborative communities in an online learning environment, and discuss the foundations of distance education in the industrial era, its evolution, the forces that shaped it, and how different models of teaching and learning developed; the post-Fordist debate in higher education; differences between distance education and online learning; recent developments like blended learning environments; reforms; and the challenges and opportunities of creating a new higher education. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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An Introduction to Distance Education is a comprehensive look at the field today, outlining current theories, practices and goals. The book reviews the influence of past distance education theory and practice, along with current changes. It outlines the practical skills and information that are essential to effective distance education design, delivery and navigation.This volume brings together seminal contributors who have and who are currently researching and shaping our understanding and practice of distance education. A discussion of past and present practices in higher and distance education leads to an understanding of accessible education and the appropriate use of Web 2.0 technology. Utilizing a student-guided approach, each chapter offers 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 discussionkey quotations: strategically placed throughout the text, these points act as a springboard for further reflection and classroom discussionconcept definitions: central concepts discussed in the text are defined or students at the end of each chapter.A perfect textbook for educational technology Doctorate, Masters and Certificate programs, students will find An Introduction to Distance Education offers a solid foundation from which to explore and develop new approaches to designing and implementing online courses.
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