Building Online Learning Communities: Effective Strategies for the Virtual Classroom

Building Online Learning Communities The second edition of the groundbreaking book Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace by Rena Palloff and Keith Pratt has been completely updated and expanded to include the most current information on effective online course development and delivery. Palloff and Pratt share insights designed to guide readers, offering illustrative case studies, vignettes, and examples from a wide variety of successful online courses. "The focus on community makes this volume distinctive in the literature about online teaching and learning. The authors' expertise spans the nitty-gritty, practical aspects of the virtual classroom with the larger questions and context of twenty-first century education. This book goes way beyond the how-to's of online education to a sophisticated consideration of the major challenges of teaching and learning." -Anna DiStefano, provost, Fielding Graduate University "This book captures the essence of a successful virtual learning experience for both students and teachers. Palloff and Pratt share valuable insights that only expert practitioners could so clearly explain." -David Wicks, director of instructional technology, Seattle Pacific University "As the physical and virtual worlds converge to become the 'real world' of teaching and learning, communities play increasingly important roles in bridging distances and differences. This book underscores the real value that communities bring to distributed learning experiences, and gives readers plenty of guidance and advice for creating communities that connect, engage, and inspire." -Ellen Wagner, senior director, WW eLearning Solutions, Adobe Systems "This book is a must-read for faculty who truly want to help students understand and apply knowledge, and thus prepare for life in the twenty-first century. Palloff and Pratt have reaffirmed their roles as educational leaders in the development of online learning communities, reminding us of the significant benefits of such communities to learners at all levels." -Jack A. Chambers, executive director, Office of Organizational Learning Services, Florida Community College at JacksonvilleKeith Pratt is the author of 'Building Online Learning Communities: Effective Strategies for the Virtual Classroom', published 2007 under ISBN 9780787988258 and ISBN 0787988251.