Product Description

'Mehrotra Chandra's latest text offers a valuable vein of sanity for an audience of 'administrators and faculty' involved in assessing and evaluating strategies for launching distance learning programs in their educational organisations' - Andrea Barrett, British Journal of Educational Technology

`Essentially this is a skill based, practical work rather than one based on theory or presenting original research. It will be useful for anyone who is considering whether or not distance learning might be of value to their institution, as well as those who are engaging in this type of provision for the first time. However, the accessible nature of this book, and the information contained within it will be a useful introductory resource for many staff in Education and Continuing Education' - Escalate

Message from authors

1. In a number of chapters, we have provided readers with Web sites which may be useful to them in obtaining additional information related to what we have covered. Since some of these Web sites may be discontinued and new ones developed, it will be beneficial to keep this information updated on a Web site to accompany the book.

2. The Web site will also be useful for providing readers with additional

information regarding the material covered in the book. For example, we may

bring to readers' attention other Web sites that offer concrete examples of

how some instructors have designed syllabi and/or assessment procedures for

their distance learning courses.

3. A related topic has to do with technology issues related to distance

learning. The Web site may suggest possible sources that would be useful to

readers in obtaining up-to-date information in this regard.

4. Readers will also appreciate learning about (a) centres of distance

learning in the United States and other countries; (b) discussion lists that would

allow them to interact with colleagues who share similar interest; and (c)

organizations involved in conducting and publishing research on various

aspects of distance learning.

In short, the Web site will be an effective and efficient way of keeping

readers informed regarding new developments related to the ever evolving

aspects of distance learning. It will be organized in terms of the topics

presented in the book and will include user-friendly commentary,

annotations, and examples.

In this book the authors lay out practical principles and advice to help individual teachers and administrators learn how to design, implement, and evaluate distance learning courses via a variety of formats. The book is a response to an explosion of interest in distance learning and increasing pressures to expand traditional on-campus courses into this realm, especially with the advent of the Internet. Such an effort requires rethinking course design, selecting appropriate modes of delivery, creating strategies to promote active learning, maintaining ongoing contact with students, and assessing learning outcomes. However, many faculty members and administrators have had limited experience designing such courses. This book shows them how.

Features/Benefits:

· Research that informs recommendations and a wealth of examples and strategies based on field-tested models, student preferences, and the authors' own extensive experiences results in advice that readers can trust.

· Comprehensive coverage addresses available delivery options (and their respective strengths and shortcomings), factors to consider in selecting a delivery mode, designing a syllabus for a distance course, fostering student learning and development, providing student support services, and assessing student performance.

· Practical matters are stressed throughout, such as attracting students, ensuring high rates of completion, conducting program evaluation, and preparing a self-study for accreditation review.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1803164 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review

"The overall strength of this volume is its emphasis on practical considerations that an instructor is likely to encounter in creating a distance course. . . . particularly strong in presenting easily understood principles of good practice for those who must plan and implement distance learning."

(EVALUATION & PROGRAM PLANNING )

"This book is a fine example of what is needed for distance learning teachers,
administrators, and evaluators throughout the world. It provides good coverage of the timely topics that face distance educators daily. For those considering starting a distance learning course or program, this book would provide a solid footing upon which to make important decisions." (REVIEW OF HIGHER EDUCATION )

About the Author

 Chandra Mohan Mehrotra is Professor of Psychology and Dean for Special Projects at The College of St. Scholastica. He is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and is the recipient of several awards for teaching and service. He is a Consulting Editor for Teaching of Psychology and serves on the editorial board of Educational Gerontology. He has published numerous articles, edited Teaching and Aging (1984), co-authored Aging and Diversity (1998), and served as guest editor for a special issues of Educational Gerontology (1996). He has presented papers and symposia on distance learning at annual meetings of the American Psychological Association, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Gerontological Society of America. He is currently directing a research training program for psychology faculty, with support from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging.

 C. David Hollister is Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota. Since 1993 he has been actively involved in the development and accreditation of the school’s Master of Social Work distance education program, and he teaches distance learning courses on community practice methods and on substance abuse. He has published a number of articles evaluating distance education and has presented papers on distance education at meetings of the Council on Social Work Education, at the annual University of South Carolina Conference on Educational Technology in Social Work, and at international conferences. He is Associate Secretary General for the Inter-University Consortium for International Social Development and is member of the editorial board of Social Development Issues. His research and teaching activities have been supported by the Blandin Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, the Bush Foundation, and the National Institute on Alcohol Addiction and Abuse.

 

 Lawrence McGahey is Associate Professor, Chair of the Chemistry Department, and Chair of the Natural Sciences Division at The College of St. Scholastica. He has been involved in the development of St. Scholatistca’s distance education program as a member of the Graduate Council and Graduate Curriculum Committee. In addition, he has experience both in developing and incorporating web-based instructional materials into science courses. His research and teaching efforts have been supported by the National Science Foundation, the Research Corporation, and the U.S. Department of Education. He is also a manuscript reviewer and annotator for the Journal of Chemical Education.

 

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Customer Reviews

An excellent overview of distance learning, realistic.
Just finished reading Mehrotra et al's excellent introduction to distance learning. A great guide of any institution thinking about distance learning. Down to earth and student centred in their approach, they take the reader through (with examples) some key points on good practice. Of particular interest have been the chapters on support and achiving high completion rates. Where I work, we have been involved with the delivery of distance learning for six years and have just had an Internet site developed. The authors display a sound understanding of the delivery of distance learning. A very readable book, and it comes highly recommended.