Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Ready to Start Offering Online Courses
Every new endeavor starts somewhere and this book is a great place to start thinking about your organization's first online educational offerings. Author Robin Neidorf combines the basics of good teaching and instructional design with the realities of the online medium. She explores the different types of adult learners (perpetual learner vs. outcome oriented learners) and how to address them. She explores the factors that lead to e-learning success: collaborative community, availability of material that appeals to six different learning types, the ability of the instructor to connect with the students individually, the need for feedback, and more.

If you're going down this path for the first time, this book provides an excellent framework for approaching your project. The author also provides valuable references to online resources.

Highly recommended.

A terrific guide for everyone, not just instructors
Teach Beyond Your Reach is a terrific resource for everyone who has to deliver knowledge from a distance. True, professional teachers and trainers who need to move their courses online will benefit from Neidorf's systematic approach to developing online instruction as well as her highly engaging and supportive writing style. However, others who find themselves in an unfamiliar teaching role -- for example, non-profits creating courses for their members or librarians delivering online information skills training -- will also appreciate the author's discussion of adult learning styles, her coverage of various distance teaching tools and activities, and her jargon-free presentation. This excellent resource is an easy-to-use, informative, and actionable guide of great value for anyone contemplating teaching at a distance, especially online. I have used it several times for course preparation, and always benefited from Neidorf's practical recommendations.

Practical guide to effective distance teaching styles
Training is part of my business, and Teach Beyond Your Reach has been both educational and energizing for me. It is the perfect companion to have at your side when you are making the leap from in-person to distance teaching. The book coaches teachers and trainers on the fundamental concepts and processes behind effective distance instruction, on making a connection when you are not there in the classroom. It is for teachers, not necessarily for techies. Chapter 1 surveys the range of tools and technologies involved, but the focus is on the teaching/learning aspects--adapting core learner-centric teaching skills to the new environment. Aside from the "distance" aspect, the book is useful for tips about communicating with learners no matter what the communication medium. College teachers, professional trainers, and organizations offering continuing education to their constituents could all benefit from this book.

A fine pick for any teacher entering the cyberworld
Instructors interested in better meeting student needs through different teaching approaches will welcome TEACH BEYOND YOUR REACH: AN INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDE TO DEVELOPING AND RUNNING SUCCESSFUL DISTANCE LEARNING CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, TRAINING SESSIONS AND MORE. Distance learning is one of the fastest-growing learning options in the country, allowing individuals to earn degrees, certifications and gain skills without entering a classroom. TEACH BEYOND YOUR REACH covers the basics of a successful distance learning approach and shares practices and examples from successful teachers. A fine pick for any teacher entering the cyberworld.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
... Read more

Product Description

Hybrid Learning: The Perils and Promise of Blending Online and Face-to-Face Instruction in Higher Education is an in-depth exploration of a new learning mode that could radically change higher education, incorporating emerging trends in technology and multimedia use—including online gaming, social networking, and other Web 2.0 applications—to create engaging and dynamic learning environments. Laying out fundamental challenges facing higher education today, this book shows how hybrid instruction can be designed and implemented to deliver excellent educational value in flexible modes and at moderate costs well-suited to the circumstances of many students and institutions.

The book lays out the characteristic profiles of students who are most likely to benefit from and perform well in a hybrid learning environment, as well as the features and practices of hybrid courses most likely to produce positive learning outcomes. It also specifies the obligations of faculty in designing and delivering best-practice hybrid courses and the support and policy obligations of institutions. Challenging prima-facie assumptions about hybrid learning, the author promotes it as nothing less than an opportunity to reenvision education for the 21st century.

Product Description
These dazzling, radical lectures were given one month before the opening of the first Waldorf School—following two years of intense preoccupation with the social situation in Germany as World War I ended and society sought to rebuild itself.

Well aware of the dangerous tendencies present in modern culture that undermine a true social life—such as psychic torpor and boredom, universal mechanization, and a growing cynicism—Steiner recognized that any solution must address not only economic and legal issues but also that of a free spiritual life.

Steiner also saw the need to properly nurture in children the virtues of imitation, reverence, and love at the appropriate stages of development in order to create mature adults who are inwardly prepared to fulfill the demands of a truly healthy society—adults who are able to assume the responsibilities of freedom, equality, and brotherhood.

Relating these themes to an understanding of the human as a threefold being of thought, feeling, and volition, and against the background of historical forces at work in human consciousness, Steiner lays the ground for a profound revolution in the ways we think about education.

Also included here are three lectures on the social basis of education, a lecture to public school teachers, and a lecture to the workers of the Waldorf Astoria Cigarette Company, after which they asked him to form a school for their children. ... Read more

Product Description

From admission to graduation-your personal guide to studying online

Online Education For Dummies explains the ins and outs of attending a virtual classroom, and provides you with the tools you need to hone your skills or obtain additional certification and degrees. This practical reference not only helps you get the most out of an online course, but also offers a wealth of advice to help you pick the one that matches your interests and needs.

• Identifies the software and hardware needed to study online
• Reveals how to get financial aid, transfer credits, and manage online time
• Explains how to locate legitimate online programs and avoid scams

Whether you want to earn a degree or just increase your knowledge through an online course, Online Education For Dummies is the only guide you need. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

If you don't know where to go for getting education online, this is a Great place to start
This book breaks everything down, and gives a step by step instructions to getting an online degree. It was extremely helpful in my education.

The one book that every e-Learning student and faculity should read and own
Having read the Dummies Series for over 10 years I have found myself learning more from these series as the material is easy to grasp and yet very concise. Online Education for Dummies should be the first book that you read when deciding to pursue an online degree. Both students and faculty alike can use the tips provided by Dr. Manning and Professor Johnson. I have had the opportunity to take Dr. Manning's class via MVCR and I can tell you from personal experience that her lessons are thoughtful and well- planned.This book covers so many topics such as finding an Accredited Online Programs, how to apply to the institution, asynchronous and synchronous discussion forums, using Web Conferencing Tools such as WebEx and Elluminate. It also covers students with disabilities and how to incorporate their Assitive Technology devices in the online classroom. International students will also benefit learning how to work on the course in different time zones and how to interact with the Professor.

After reading this book you will have more confidence to try out an online program while learning about the author's personal experiences.Please read this book before enrolling in a program as there will be less surprises waiting you when you begin your course of study.

Students, parents and teachers: You need to read this book!
Online Education for Dummies is a truly useful deep dive into the experience of learning online, with a dash of humor and an easy-to-read style.

A must-read for students and parents who want all the answers in one spot!

I recommend this excellent resource for faculty members and Instructional Designers too - understanding the nuts and bolts of the student experience helps us create spectacular content and build communities of engaged, successful online learners.

Holly Rogers

Great Introductory Book About Online Education
As with all Dummies books, this one is an introduction written to the novice, or to someone just wanting to know where to start. This book is a wonderful introduction to online education, from how to pick a school, how to apply to a school, and what to expect in the virtual classroom. They even have ten myths about online education concerning topics such as whether online education is cheaper or easier than classroom education. There are also clever illustrations peppered throughout.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is contemplating returning to college, or who might be starting college. Know your alternatives!

Sam Martin

A "Must-Read" for anyone thinking about taking or teaching online courses
If you are considering taking online courses, this book is a valuable resource that you should read first. This book is an outstanding source of advice and information about online education, including K-12 through graduate school. Susan and Kevin explain important things to consider both about yourself, as well as about a variety of online programs. In the relatively new world of online education, you need to evaluate carefully your options, and this book will help you do that. It also gives solid advice on what to expect and how to succeed as an online student. This book even includes information on the new and growing option of online education for students in K-12, explaining how it can help meet students' needs and what to expect with each type of program. As with all Dummies books, it is an enjoyable read that communicates in terms that are easy to understand, yet offers a lot of very helpful information. Having taken courses online, as well as having taught courses online, I highly recommend this book for anyone considering online courses. If you are planning on investing in an online education of any kind, invest in this book first. ... Read more

Product Description
Texas Tech Univ. School of Nursing, Lubbock. Text reflects the latest developments in distance education and telehealth and focuses on practical strategies nurses can use in the classroom or clinic. Previous edition, c1998, won an American Journal of Nursing Book-of-the-Year Award. ... Read more

Product Description
It’s no mystery that one of the keys to improving our nation’s schools is to staff them with better-qualified teachers. However, the traditional means for improving or gaining teaching skills—through an education degree or certificate program—can be time-consuming and costly, making it difficult for teachers and aspiring teachers to take their skills to the next level. Education authorities John and Mariah Bear have found the answer, and it’s a surprisingly sensible and readily accessible one: distance learning. As the Bears’ research reveals, over 100 top-notch programs offer fully accredited education degrees and teaching certificates that you can earn on your own time, from your own home, and within your budget. Whether you’re looking to break into the profession with a certificate, boost your salary with a master’s, or tackle educational theory with a doctorate, BEST EDUCATION DEGREES shows you how to choose and complete a great program without putting the rest of your life on hold. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

I got fooled!
The Bear's guide used to be an excellent resource. Now, it's been watered down into a series of books rather than all the needed info in one book, I presume to make obscene amounts of money. So, save yours! There's better info online, and it's free!

Good book on education
The book was alright.I felt that I have seen better but as a whole, the book was ok.

Good book, but not a new version
I don't know why Amazon says this book is from January 2003, as the used one I ordered says 2001.I already had this edition and used it well to seek out a Bachelors completion program in 2001.I read it cover to cover and selected a school based on some of the more specific comments on completion programs - very good advice, and a very good school - great personal service. I also have Bear's Guide to Earning a Degree by Distance Education, which I used to search out an MBA in the UK, and I've loaned that one to friends. He does a great job.I've also read his work on accreditation extensively, since I work for a non-accredited school.Too bad this book isn't up to date as now I want an MSc in Education and Technology and there have been alot of changes in the past two years particularly in this area. For example, the London program I liked in 2001 has been discontinued and the new one won't start til 2004. I was hoping for more ideas on where to turn now.

Want to earn an Education degree via distance learning?
I have a few of John Bear's books in my study and this book is a terrific publication.If you would like to earn your Education degree via distance learning...this is the book for you.You will find its authors have compiled an excellent resource pointing you in the right direction.Plenty of information is given concerning specific state certification and how you can navigate the need for student teaching via distance learning.

Buy this book if you are serious about earning an education degree!

For anyone interest in the education field
You can trust Bear to give you acurate, honest information on the schools he covers.This book is specifically written for anyone looking for a degree in the education field.Childhood development, elementary, ect.He covers it all including teaching credentuals, bachelor's degreees, master's degrees, and doctorates.I've bought other distance learning books but it's hard to go through each school looking not only for creditionals you can trust but also for the degree you want.I like the fact that this book only covers the type of degrees I'm interested in.Bear's also has several other distance degree books if education is not your field of study. ... Read more

Product Description

Conventional apprenticeships and older methods of professional training are not providing enough skilled workers - governments, companies and colleges are now using open and distance learning to fill these gaps.

Published in association with the Commonwealth of Learning, this unique review provides detailed analysis of worldwide experiences of vocational training and distance education. It looks at recent policy and practice at different levels - from transnational programmes and national policies to institutional and programme models.

Offering guidance on how distance education and new technologies are being used to support vocational education and training, this book will help senior institutional managers and policy makers to understand and appreciate:

* the role distance education can play in increasing skills levels in young people and the existing workforce
* the challenges in using educational technologies, and distance education to deliver vocational education and training
* how to devise effective policies to meet these challenges.

Product Description
Equally grounded in the research and the practical applications developed by the authors over a number of years, this book shows how virtual learning environments could represent the future of higher education. As academics begin to use environments such as Second Life to reach a broader student audience, this volume offers the distance-learning community (administrators, faculty, and students) a different, yet successful, approach to delivering content over the Internet through 3D virtual learning environments that have the potential to transform higher education.Covering a broad spectrum of frameworks, from commercial multiplayer video games to online learning, the book shows just how powerful these environments can be in the arena of education, and concludes that data-driven practice will ensure almost universal take-up, even among those currently unwilling to use V-learning. The authors provide numerous practical examples of distance learning in its current state of development, as well as making informed predictions about how future environments might evolve.This much-needed book is right at the cutting edge of its subject, and comes at a time when research in both educational gaming and distance learning are converging. ... Read more

Product Description
The expanding field of adult learning encompasses the study and practice of utilizing sound instructional design principals, technology, and learning theory as a means to solve educational challenges and human performance issues relating to adults, often occurring online. Online Education and Adult Learning: New Frontiers for Teaching Practices disseminates current issues and trends emerging in the field of adult e-learning and online instruction for the design of better products and services. This advanced publication provides theoretical understanding of the essential links between authentic learning, social psychology, instructional design, e-learning, online education, and various additional methods of adult learning. ... Read more

Product Description
Technology insinuated itself into higher education swiftly and permanently. Suddenly, the potential uses for the new technology seemed endless. Academic institutions responded quickly each trying to meet individual needs and creating varied uses. However, as the trend matured, institutions found that they were each reinventing systems that someone had already created and the cost of working this way was high.In response to these factors, the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecodary Education (FIPSE) created a visionary grant program which encouraged creativity and collaboration. The funded projects were innovative and have had a tremendous impact on the distance learning. This book reports on some of those programs, along with an analysis and synthesis of what worked and why.Kathleen King and Susan Biro write in the conclusion:Innovative technology in higher education provides the opportunity to identify needs among our communities and learners, envision solutions, and identify the technology, resources, partnerships, and programs to make it happen. In the process, we learn that the pathway is not linear, and that as we are learning about technology along the way, we are also learning about our learners, our organizations, and ourselves. Working with innovative technologies to provide distance education in higher education is a dynamic and intensive process of envisioning, shaping, and discovering the future of teaching and learning and technology all at once.Readers will find though-provoking discussions and resources for harnessing the technology to do the work of the future. ... Read more

Product Description
Virtual Worlds are a new interface through which people can meet and collaborate with others using their natural voice, sharing PowerPoint presentations, videos, team meetings, as well as other sorts of simulations and role playing. 'Education in Second Life' is an important type of distance learning. Certainly it enables classes to meet without the overhead that goes with the traditional brick and mortar classroom building. Also, the environmental impact associated with commuting is eliminated. This volume is a forum for leaders in utilizing the Second Life virtual world in higher education to share their experience and ideas. Second Life is free and readily accessible. The characters called avatars used in virtual worlds can gesticulate and smile creating an immediacy supporting learning. Some universities such as the Open University involve non-academic staff in using and supporting activity in virtual worlds. We hope this book will help you to join us in extending this new frontier of education. ... Read more

Product Description


You may not know it, but you've been robbed.

Classical Christian education, your rightful inheritance, has been stolen from you by educational bureaucrats.Generations of well-meaning parents and innocent children never received their intended bequest. However, the "new" method that is being popularized in the homeschooling community looks more like the public school paradigm than the original classical model.In her research, Diane discovered that the primary premise upon which this "neoclassical" method is based has no evidentiary support other than one woman's personal experience.Speculation and hearsay fuel the rumor that has become an urban legend.Countless home school parents labor under this burdensome method when they could be enjoying the simplicity of an authentic classical Christian home education by teaching three simple skill sets to mastery:

Language, Critical Thinking, and Communication

Exposition of errors, though, is not enough.Home school parents need practical instructions for turning the idea of a classical Christian home education into reality.Diane shows you exactly how to teach these three skills through 12 real-life case studies with children ranging in age from 5 to 17 years old.Using her "must-know" checklists, Diane develops customized strategic semester plans for each child, a to-do list for the parents, and a to-do list for the children.Use these personal "makeovers" as a guide to develop your own strategic plans.

National leaders on two continents have been successfully trained by the classical method for over two thousand years.At this critical time in history, the common twelve-year educational paradigm cannot begin to prepare your children for the calling on their lives.Like Diane, you and your family can recover your inheritance.What are you waiting for? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Not your average "classical eduction"
Too often, when we hear "classical education" in homeschooling circles, we think of dry, old books, Latin, and drill work.Mrs. Lockman has put a new spin on that idea, attempting to breathe life into the "neo-classical home education movement."In this book, we'll find a brief history of education, modern and classical, a description of the "three roads" to an educated mind and how to arrive there, as well as excellent ways to test for mastery of several key subjects in a child's curriculum - from approximately kindergarten through approximately eighth grade.We'll also find several case studies of homeschool families which help us to see how to put the ideas presented in the book into work with our own children.One of the greatest differences between Mrs. Lockman's thesis on classical education and the other current thoughts on the subject is that each child should be educated to their own strengths and interests.Education is not a "one size fits all" production line, therefore, as the educating parents, we are responsible and privledged to develop an educational program which will best work for each of our children.But that doesn't mean that larger families should shy away from this ideal!As we find in the case studies, several of the "mastery elements" can be achieved by older children working with their younger siblings.

Must Read for Home Educators!
If you have ever yearned to embrace the classical approach to homeschooling; and yet feared what seemed to be an insurmountable task; this new book called Trivium Mastery: The Intersection of Three Roads by Diane Lockman will encourage your socks off!I have always felt like "classical eclectic" was my fit in the various methods of homeschooling, yet I constantly worried that I could never give my children enough to complete a worthy classical education.I know I am not alone in this fear.

From the very beginning, my husband and I have agreed to focus on three things as of the utmost importance in our homeschool.First and foremost we want them to learn to love God.Secondly, we want our children to love reading.Thirdly, we want our children to be able to think.So, we want our children to love God, love reading, and know how to think.We didn't agree to settle on a specific method of homeschooling and I have studied them all in my quest for the perfect way to meet our goals.Imagine my surprise when I read the following sentence in the first part of Trivium Mastery.

In the midst of all the tweaking, I began to see that the true classical Christian education could be simply reduced to the acquisition of three major skills (language, thought and speech), and that when those skills were substantially mastered, the kids would have the necessary tools to delve deeply in to serious content like the adult classics and higher level sciences.(Preface, Trivium Mastery: The Intersection of Three Roads, by Diane B Lockman)

As you can see, this is slightly different then what I have stated as our goals.But the parallels are significant and certainly the skill of excellent communication would be high on our list as a subset of any of the three stated goals we have.Diane has done an excellent job of presenting the her information with the research to back it up.The book first provides a brief look at the history of classical education, and then breaks it down into the three areas of focus to provide further insight.Finally, several case study "makeovers" were done in real families with real issues to show how different and personalized a true classical education can become.You don't need to buy classical curriculum, you don't need to focus "stages of learning", you need to use whatever method it takes to help your child master each of the three skills of the trivium to the best of their ability.That's it.

Isn't that encouraging?

I highly recommend that every home educator read this book, and if you are remotely interested in pursuing a classical education for your crew this book is a must read.

Helpful for understanding Classical Education
"Trivium Mastery" by Diane B. Lockman sets out to make Classical Education understandable to all, especially those of us who have no idea what Classical Education really is all about.Divided into three main sections, Part One of "Trivium Mastery" explains the history of Classical Education and details the main components, Part Two gives real-life case studies helpful to applying this study approach within your own homeschool and Part Three contains appendices and assessment tools for gauging how a child is progressing in their education.
On the whole, this book is very helpful as a concise explanation of what the Classical Education style is and what it can do for your children. Lockman does thoroughly detail the history of this education style and outlines the main precepts of a Classical Education. However, at times the book itself is awkward. For example, Lockman refers to people without explaining who or why she is mentioning them.Within one page Lockman might be explaining Classical Education as if she is speaking to a novice homeschooler, then within the next paragraph she seems to be directing argumentative phrases at those she calls "neoclassical" educators. Most perplexingly, the book does not contain an index nor does it contain explanations or answers for each of the specific assessment tools listed in Part Three. However, after reading Lockman's book I can finally understand the benefits of this teaching approach.While my family will never be a true Classical Education homeschool,I am certain we will be classically tweaking our current homeschooling style in the coming years.Despite its editorial failings, "Trivium Mastery" does succeed in making Classical Education accessible to all and for that I give this book 4 of 5 stars.Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book but the opinions stated here are all mine.

What research?
In short (3 page) chapters, the author gives detailed lists on what is required for a classical home education.Fair enough, the lists are detailed and, although repetitive, easy to follow.That is what I found most helpful about this book.

Things I did not like about this book:
-no footnotes
-no bibliography
-no index
-assumes reader knows who people are and why they are important (one example: on p88, she talks about Andrew Pudewa with no reference or footnotes)
-short chapter on why she disagrees with neo-classical education but does not elaborate on her research; lack of footnotes or bibliography is really felt here (she disagrees with Dorothy Sayer's breakdown of classical education as "one woman's theory")
-does not introduce herself or her children (all personal information is under "About the Author" and not included in the text; her son is not mentioned until p62)
-does not state her qualifications (besides practicing as a CPA for 9 years) as a homeschooler; how long has she homeschooled?How old are her kids?The only date I read was 2006.
-"according to so & so..."with no footnotes or references appears several times
-no instructions on how to use Appendices

I really wanted to like this book, but the lack of footnotes or bibliography makes it inadequate and incomplete.

This book transformed my fear about homeschooling into excitement!
My husband and I recently decided to homeschool after leaving the classical Christian academy that our children had been attending. We wanted our kids to be inspired to think biblically, reason logically and eventually be able to clearly articulate their views in loving and respectful ways. We also wanted them to be spiritually and academically challenged in the process.

After agreeing to stick with the classical model, we realized that we didn't know where or how to start. After reading quite a few books,I came across Trivium Mastery. I combed through the book twice (it is well-written, making it a pleasure to read) and have spent a significant amount of time on the author's website gleaning even more information and encouragement about what the Trivium should look like at its best.

Ms. Lockman begins with an excellent overview of the history of the classical approach. This was eye-opening and made clear in my mind what can happen when the Trivium is applied based upon a correct view of its nature and function. Lockman then goes on to outline the results of individual family case studies in which she "makes over" their homeschool approach. This is the meat-and-potatoes portion of the book for those of us looking for the practical application of an excellent theory. I was originally quite daunted by the prospect of homeschooling. Now, though, I am thrilled at the idea of custom-designing a classical Christian home program that will make sense for our family.

I would like to finish by saying that, in many years of being a faithful Amazon customer, I rarely write reviews. This book, though, merits my taking the time to encourage others to read it. No matter what road you choose to take, you won't regret spending some time on your journey with this thought-provoking book! ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Home Education consists of six lectures by Charlotte Mason about the raising and educating of young children (up to the age of nine), for parents and teachers. She encourages us to spend a lot of time outdoors, immersed in nature and handling natural objects and collecting experiences on which to base the rest of their education. She discusses the use of training in good habits such as attention, thinking, imagining, remembering, performing tasks with perfect execution, obedience, and truthfulness, to replace undesirable tendencies in children (and the adults that they grow into). She details how lessons in various school subjects can be done using her approach. She concludes with remarks about the Will, the Conscience, and the Divine Life in the Child. Charlotte Mason was a late nineteenth-century British educator whose ideas were far ahead of her time. She believed that children are born persons worthy of respect, rather than blank slates, and that it was better to feed their growing minds with living literature and vital ideas and knowledge, rather than dry facts and knowledge filtered and pre-digested by the teacher. Her method of education, still used by some private schools and many homeschooling families, is gentle and flexible, especially with younger children, and includes first-hand exposure to great and noble ideas through books in each school subject, conveying wonder and arousing curiosity, and through reflection upon great art, music, and poetry; nature observation as the primary means of early science teaching; use of manipulatives and real-life application to understand mathematical concepts and learning to reason, rather than rote memorization and working endless sums; and an emphasis on character and on cultivating and maintaining good personal habits. Schooling is teacher-directed, not child-led, but school time should be short enough to allow students free time to play and to pursue their own worthy interests such as handicrafts. Traditional Char ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

insightful philosophy
wonderful book...covers a wide range of insight from health to development to education...some may not like the older English used but I enjoyed the accent. ... Read more

Product Description
This text reviews the strategies adopted in a range of behaviourist approaches to the setting and realization of standards - identifying the background from which they emerged and ways they might be further developed. Examples are included throughout the book, and are taken from such areas as management training, language development and industry lead bodies. ... Read more

Product Description
Multiple Literacy and Science Education: ICTs in Formal and Informal Learning Environments explores the nature of various learning enlightenment mediums and their consequences within a classroom context to synchronize understanding within the schooling fields. This authoritative collection provides an overview of current research, practices, and evidence-based approaches regarding further development for best practices of multiple literacy teaching atmospheres. ... Read more

Product Description

This definitive guide on how best to deliver e-learning materials clearly weighs the pros and cons of using different media in learning environments. Unlike books that just focus on good design or define teaching with technology as merely incoporating the internet and learning management systems, this much-anticipated new edition also discusses the relative roles of text, audio and video, and synchronous vs asynchronous. Award-winning author Tony Bates adapts and extends his popular model for the appropriate use of technology for teaching and learning, from distance education to campus-based teaching and learning. He provides concrete guidance for selecting technologies based on criteria of costs, learner differences, and organizational issues.

Extensively re-written from the second edition to take account of all the latest technologies, social networking, and organizational change, the book provides instructors, administrators and students with a practical set of guidelines on appropriate technology use, based on theory, research and experience. With a particular focus on Web 2.0 technologies and their implications for emerging pedagogy, the book is a valuable tool for anyone who wants provide an e-learning experience tailored to the needs of their learners.

Product Description
Distance learning is an increasingly popular and practical alternative to standard classroom training for students seeking to launch careers or make career changes. This book will get them started. Updated with the latest information on educational facilities and the distance learning programs they offer, the Guide to Distance Learning lists hundreds of prominent colleges and universities, as well as accredited correspondence training centers in the United States and Canada. Schools offer degrees and certificates in a wide range of courses, including art and design, computer science, health services, journalism, philosophy, psychology, management, human resources, public affairs and administration, social work, teacher education, and many, many more. Descriptions of facilities include facts and figures on admission requirements, courses offered, tuition and fees, credits and degrees granted, mailing addresses, e-mail addresses, and fax and phone numbers. Two indexes at the back of the book provide quick reference to descriptions of distance learning centers. One index is arranged regionally by state or province—the other, according to field of study. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

B+
There is a more comprehensive book on the topic called Campus Free College Degrees: Thorsons Guide to Accredited College Degrees Through Distance Learning by Marcie K. Thorson.

Excellent Guide Overall, But Occasionally Out Of Date
This is the best big-picture overview of distance learning programs available today, and is hugely better than the Bear's Guide, a popular competitor. The strength of this book is in its comprehensiveness. It lists so many programs that it can be a chore to wade through them all. Fortunately they are indexed in the main text alphabetically, but are cross-referenced in the back by state and program subject.

This book would be a hands-down five star slam dunk if it were more up to date. I realize that colleges change their programs all the time, but to me that strongly argues for less time between editions. This was last published in 2002, and much has happened since then especially where Internet learning is concerned. Despite this weakness, it is still at least as current as its competitors, and is vastly more useful and comprehensive. Another small issue that occurs occasionally are short entries like "See school website" or "Contact school" in response to required data fields. I gather from reading this that the entries here were exclusively based on the information schools sent back to the editors on a standard survey. It would have been nice if the researchers had actually called the schools and asked for the information to complete these data fields. It would have been more time consuming to write (enormously so, in fact), but the finished product would have been unbeatable.

In the end, this is my favorite guide to distance learning available, and despite its weaknesses, I still recommend it to anyone considering a distance learning option at any educational level.

Good basic info, but *way* out of date
If you're new to Distance Learning, this book will be a good primer. It did help me to save about $2000 by directing me to a junior college that had the classes I wanted, rather than taking classes through the out of state school that granted my degree. However, two years is a long time in the evolution of distance learning, and the information is out of date for many of the programs. A great grad program at NYU was completely overlooked, as was the acquisition of University of Sarasota by Argosy University. Wait for the third ed.

A Fantasic Source For Our Company
As the President for TheDistanceLearningExpo.com, we have used many different resources to guide the people coming to our website.We found Barron's guide to be the most up to date.

This Guide to Distance Learning is a key to the Future
This book is an excellent resource for someone who is looking to go to school but does not have the time or ability to attend a regular school.It gives you all the information you need about the schools to decide ifthey have the right program and criteria for you.It also gives you theinformation to contact the schools for more information.It is easy to useand has excellent index's that help you find what you want without havingto read the entire book. ... Read more

Product Description
Lipinski discusses changes to copyright law and how they may ultimately affect traditional distance classrooms.Providing a step-by-step explanation of the law and how it impacts these pedagogical issues, Lipinski discusses instructor ownership issues, a general application of _fair use,_ and other issues that will inevitably arise when technology, intellectual property, and education all intersect. As the framework for distance education and technology (particularly copyright) law is now set in place, this book will prove an invaluable resource for years to come. ... Read more

Product Description
A survey of the current literature on distance learning. Organized thematically, each chapter features an introduction by the authors and provides complete bibliographic information, detailed annotations, and Web sites. Covering every aspect of distance learning-from methods of delivery to instructional design and evaluation-this guide will prove to be an essential resource for anyone involved in distance education. ... Read more