Information Science Reference Handbook of Research on Creating Meaningful Experiences in Online Courses (Advances in Educational Technologies and Instructional Design)

While online courses are said to be beneficial and many reputable brick and mortar higher education institutions are now offering undergraduate and graduate programs online, there is still ongoing debate on issues related to credibility and acceptability. There is some reluctance to teach online and to admit and hire students who have enrolled in online programs. Given these concerns, it is essential that educators in online communities continue to share the significant learning experiences and outcomes that occur in online classrooms and highlight pedagogical practices used by online instructors to make their courses and programs comparable to those offered face-to-face. The Handbook of Research on Creating Meaningful Experiences in Online Courses is a comprehensive research book that examines the quality of courses in higher education that are offered exclusively online and details strategies and practices used by online instructors to create meaningful teaching and learning experiences in online courses. Featuring a range of topics such as gamification, professional development, and learning outcomes, this book is ideal for academicians, researchers, educators, administrators, instructional designers, curriculum developers, higher education faculty, and students. About the Author Lydia Kyei-Blankson is a faculty member at Illinois State University. Dr. Lydia Kyei-Blankson has expertise in research methods, applied statistics, and psychometrics. She teaches graduate courses in research methods and statistics at Illinois State University. Her research interests investigate the underlying factors associated with student academic achievement. She is especially interested in technology use in education to improve student learning and achievement and has co-authored a number of articles in this area.Esther Ntuli is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teaching and Educational Studies at Idaho State University (ISU). Her expertise and training is in curriculum and instruction, early childhood education, and instructional technology. Dr. Ntuli teaches undergraduate instructional technology courses, and early childhood/elementary undergraduate and graduate courses at ISU. Her research interest focuses on technology use and practice in early childhood instruction, teacher education, assessment, and culturally responsive education.Joseph Blankson is the Educational Technology Manager at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. Dr. Blankson has extensive experience in supporting innovative curriculum development, including integration of technologies into higher education programs. He has designed and facilitated numerous professional development activities in the use of educational technologies, online/hybrid course design and provided instructional development services particularly with Learning Management Systems for faculty, staff and students. He has also taught educational technology courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Joseph has particular interest in using emerging technologies to promote excellence in teaching and learning, the design of web-based instruction and faculty development in the use of technology for teaching and learning.