Effective Online Teaching: Foundations and Strategies for Student Success

by Tina Stavredes

Effective Online Teaching is an essential resource that offers a clear understanding of how cognition and learning theory applies to online learning. This much-needed resource provides specific strategies for incorporating this knowledge into effective learner-centered teaching that gets results. The book includes strategies on motivation, tailored instruction, interaction, collaboration, monitoring and communication, time and information management, student concerns, and legal and ethical issues. Designed as a text for online instructors, the chapters can be used for self-directed learning or in a formal training setting in concert with the companion Training Manual and CD. "Tina Stavredes has done something sorely needed in the online teaching world —she has successfully combined solid theory and research with the practical application of instructor training. Both the book and the training manual are a 'must' for any online education organization. Bravo!"—Dr. Darcy W. Hardy, assistant vice provost for Technology Education Initiatives, University of Texas at San Antonio, and chair emerita, United States Distance Learning Association "Drawing from years of experience and solidly grounded in an understanding of the adult learner and learning, Stavredes offers dozens of helpful instructor strategies, activities, and resources to support adult learners' success in an online environment. Effective Online Teaching and its accompanying training manual is a 'must-have' set for online instructors in higher education, corporate, and government settings."—Sharan B. Merriam, professor emeritus of adult education, University of Georgia, and coauthor, Learning in Adulthood "An eminently practical book that provides clear and unpretentious explanations of the learning theories that are essential knowledge for every online teacher, together with equally uncluttered and easy-to-follow guidance about how to apply this knowledge to achieve excellent teaching."—Michael Grahame Moore, Distinguished Professor of Education, The Pennsylvania State University, and editor, The American Journal of Distance Education

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although this book contains some excellent charts, tables, and templates, the writing itself is poor: general, passive voice, simple repetitions of template or chart information. I will return to Stavredes for the tables and templates, not the less-than-inspiring prose. A short booklet of tables and templates and a bibliography would be more useful, not a whole book.

[Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

(See my review at Amazon.com)

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute gem for those interested in teaching online. This book is great for those who have never taught online before, those who have a little experience, and even those that have taught online before but may want to look through some refreshers and new methodologies.

The author presents information in an 'easy to understand' way while also including several examples that will really help readers to understand the concepts being presented. I would definitely recommend this to all educators.

[Sofia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Read this as part of a graduate course on designing online courses. It covers more of the instructional theory side of online teaching, which was helpful for someone like me, who has experience teaching online but is interested in having more formal pedagogical training.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit dated at this point as there is hardly any mention of synchronous teaching strategies; Every chapter is a load of definitions and checklists; Some good ideas for novices to think about, but if you've taught online before, there won't be much for you

[Susie Mendenhall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this as part of a certification program required for professors to teach online college courses.

[Elise Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used as part of my QM teaching online certificate. I found the tables really helpful and recreated many of them for my use and even one to use in my classroom.

[Jenn]

I attended a workshop on setting up online courses, and apparently was paying enough attention to be able to answer the "pop quiz" at the end of session. This was my prize.

I currently teach a hybrid course (meaning part face to face, part online) so I am sure there will be useful information to be gleaned. Also at some point in the future I expect to be teaching an online course as more classes are being offered in "virtual classrooms" vs. traditional rooms, I think this book will be a good foundation in setting up an online course.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of strategies and ideas, though a bit heavy on the theory side at times.

[Lauren Perotto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring. Uninformative. I just finished reading and I already don't remember most of it. It may come in handy as a quick reference. Maybe.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Material is well presented. Good info on scaffolding and rubrics.

[Polly Callahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book is used in some of the Quality Matters courses.