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Abstract: As more and more instructors enter the world of online teaching and learning, a body of knowledge is emerging around the challenge of facilitating online interaction and fostering online collaboration. This paper draws from the literature on asynchronous learning and the authors' own experiences with online discussion and collaborative online projects. We identify a variety of techniques for focusing student dialogue, fostering an online learning community, and promoting successful collaboration. Instructors who are teaching wholly online courses or simply integrating online components into face-to-face classes will benefit from the observations and discussion.

Vesely, P., Bloom, L., & Sherlock, J. (2007). Key elements of building online community: Comparing faculty and student perceptions. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 3(3), 234-246. Vesely, Bloom, and Sherlock (2007) document that essential to the learning process is the student/student and student/teacher interaction, and building this community of learners is more challenging in online. Students in blended courses felt interaction may be better than in traditional courses. Students who feel silenced in onsite class discussions are more apt to contribute online. Seeking help can be a determining factor in successful learning. In the online communities, help is available virtually around the clock from the instructors and fellow classmates. Furthermore, through their experiences in the blended course, students would better understand the significance of managing their time, cultivating their study environment, regulating their effort, seeking appropriate support, and learning from classmates. In my experience, students reported that their online interaction with classmates had greatly assisted in their comprehension of course materials. Central to how they felt about blended learning was the quality and quantity of student and faculty interaction. In blended courses, students are often required to engage actively by reading and responding to discussion forum postings that become a permanent record of their participation and learning, rather than passively attending classes. Perceptions of interaction from faculty are also positive for blended courses. Faculty renovate their teaching methods by placing onsite lectures online and adding supplementary activities to aid student learning. Blended teaching and learning transforms education from "a command and control structure to a connect and collaborate environment" (Moskal, Dziuban, Upchurch, Hartman, & Truman, 2006) which is more student-centered than faculty-controlled. For faculty, the quality

Latest stats on online learning in the U.S., including number of students enrolled, percentage of faculty supporting online courses, and growth rates for the past 10 years.

Reaching agreement on the convenience of online classes is easy, but arguing in favor of a synchronous learning experience in a virtual classroom is harder. Debunking the top 10 myths about synchronous online teaching helps refute the arguments against it, while the transformational nature of online teaching can convert skeptics into supporters.

Reaching agreement on the convenience of online classes is easy, but arguing in favor of a synchronous learning experience in a virtual classroom is harder. Debunking the top 10 myths about synchronous online teaching helps refute the arguments against it, while the transformational nature of online teaching can convert skeptics into supporters.

I can't believe that people still believe all these myths. However I have colleagues that still resist even limited technology in hybrid classes.

Google today launched a new online education tool called Oppia, currently an open source project with the goal of making it easy for anyone to create onlin

Google today launched a new online education tool called Oppia, currently an open source project with the goal of making it easy for anyone to create onlin

Online teaching is increasingly common at many types of higher education institutions, ranging from hybrid courses that offer a combination of in-person and online instruction, to fully online experiences and distance learning. The following resources provide guidelines for creating an online course, best practices for teaching online, and strategies for assessing the quality of online education.

5 Differences Between MOOCs, Online Degree Programs Expect greater access to your professor in an online degree program than in massive open online courses.

This online article listed 10 tips for using social media to maintain social connections during the emergency transition to online education during COVID-19 pandemic. These tips are still helpful for post-pandemic online teaching.

Whoo Hoo! I made it in. I feel like I belong to something! All kidding aside, this list describes the characteristics we need to be successful online learners and what qualities our students need to remain successful in our classes. Like the facilitator, the online student possesses unique qualities. The online students of today consist primarily of working people who are trying to better their opportunities. This however is changing, as more and more young and older people become aware of the online model.

As cost-effective alternatives to traditional college classes, online learning programs continue to gain steam in higher ed. According to statistics gathered for an Online Learning Consortium infographic, 5.8 million students are now enrolled in online courses, and the majority put tremendous stock in the quality of their education: 90 percent of students say their online learning experiences are the same or better than in-classroom options.

Whether you're a local student taking occasional online courses or a distant student studying completely online, Parkland's offerings can help you meet your educational goals.

Generations Online in 2009 Over half of the adult internet population is between 18 and 44 years old. But larger percentages of older generations are online now than in the past, and they are doing more activities online.

Want to know how to strengthen the 5 pillars of Online Teaching? Check 40 smart apps and tools to make your life easier as an Online Educator.

This article organizes popular tech tools with their purpose in course design. - Diane Gryglak

There seems to be a widespread belief that every college or university is already deeply enmeshed in online learning. The reality is that many schools are still trying to figure out their online learning strategy. If you are thinking about investing in a new online learning program then you will have no shortage of advice.

This is a great article on Edutopia. It contains good practical ideas on how to use an online course's discussion forum.

Best practices, strategies and tips for successfully facilitating online discussion boards.

For the most part, students in online degree and certificate programs are learning on their own. There's no pressure to show up to a physical classroom filled with other students and an instructor, for example, and many online learners need to complete their coursework and attend live sessions around a full-time job and family obligations.

Over 100 third-party tools and services are used by faculty and students in ASU Online courses. Collaborative partnerships are formed in order to explore ways to use the technology to improve online teaching and learning experiences.

Tips for Establishing a Rapport with Online Students

Benefits of Teaching Online

Here is a current article (March 31) on online education. Can (or should) you try to replicate the F2F course in an online environment?