Building Online Learning Communities - 2nd Edition by Rena M Palloff & Keith Pratt (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Building Online Learning Communities: Effective Strategies for the Virtual Classroom, 2nd Edition

Building Online Learning Communities further explores the development of virtual classroom environments that foster a sense of community and empower students to take charge of their learning to successfully achieve learning outcomes. This is the second edition of the groundbreaking book by Rena Palloff and Keith Pratt and has been completely updated and expanded to include the most current information on effective online course development and delivery. A practical, hands-on guide, this resource is filled with illustrative case studies, vignettes, and examples from a wide variety of successful online courses. The authors offer proven strategies for handling challenges that include:

• Engaging students in the formation of an online learning community.
• Establishing a sense of presence online.
• Maximizing participation.
• Developing effective courses that include collaboration and reflection.
• Assessing student performance.

Written for faculty in any distance learning environment, this revised edition is based on the authors many years of work in faculty development for online teaching as well as their extensive personal experience as faculty in online distance education. Rena M. Palloff and Keith Pratt share insights designed to guide readers through the steps of online course design and delivery.

From the Back Cover

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 Jacksonville

Review Quotes

"Palloff and Pratt clearly explain the tasks and functions involved when an instructor moves from face-to-face to the online environment. These include the ability to facilitate education, establish a friendly environment, set an agenda, pace the course, and become comfortable and proficient with the technology. Once established, these function as the groundwork for success. This book is particularly valuable for educators with minimal knowledge of online learning.... The authors have included everything needed to build a strong, successful online course." (Adult Learning Magazine, Volume 19, Numbers 1&2, Winter and Spring 2008)

"... the authors' central premise is that a collaborative learning community is the best vehicle for distance education." (Journal of Continuing Higher Education, Fall 2007)

"There will be a range of 'ah ha' moments for the reader working with students in building online learning communities." (NACADA, Nov 20, 2007)

About the Author

Rena M. Palloff, PhD, and Keith Pratt, PhD are the managing partners of Crossroads Consulting Group. They are the authors of Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace, Collaborating Online, Lessons from the Cyberspace Classroom, and The Virtual Student, all from Jossey-Bass.