Discussion Based Online Teaching to Enhance Student Learning

Bol

The new edition of what is now considered a classic on online learning has been expanded by about a third to reflect new opportunities offered by social media, new insights and ideas derived from the author’s teaching in the eight years since she wrote the first edition, as well as from extensive research in the latest literature. In particular, Tisha Bender investigates whether the existing paradigm of teaching and learning has been changed, not so much because of the advent of the Internet, but because of the potential divide between the expectations and practices of students who are “digital natives” of the digital revolution, and those of their teachers who are mostly “digital immigrants”. She addresses the question: do we need to change the way we teach in order to reach and engage digital natives fruitfully and enjoyably in their education.This accessible and comprehensive book offers an engaging and practical approach to online teaching that is rooted in the author's experience and enthusiasm for creating a virtual environment that engages students and fosters their deep learning. This is a book for all educators and administrators in higher education, in any discipline, engaged in, or contemplating offering, online classes that involve discussion or collaborative learning. It is relevant both to faculty teaching a hybrid and face-to-face classes, and courses conducted entirely online.

Bol Partner

Online teachers increasingly realize that they have to connect with their students as they would in face-to-face classes. They have to provide true opportunities for inspirational and meaningful learning, rather than a sterile experience of clicking within a labyrinth of links. The author shows how she applies learning theories to online discussion-based courses. She presents a wealth of suggestions and techniques, illustrated by examples, for stimulating and managing online participation and improving teaching practices; and concludes with methods for assessing the efficacy of online courses.