Minds Online: Teaching Effectively with Technology Reprint Edition

Back in the fall of 2008 I was hired as a computer applications instructor to teach online classes for the Los Angeles Community College District on the Moodle learning management system I wish I had this book because I started day one with no training or preparation on how to teach online classes. I had built and created my personal website but online teaching was a different animal. Since I knew something about web design that was my qualification to teach online but if I had this wonderful book with the many online learning strategies my online student retention rates would have been 100% Through trial and error I implemented many of the strategies recommended by Dr.Miller such as producing active engaging content based on adult learning not a text heavy design that will have students dropping out of your online class and maybe your college. Dr.Miller also addresses the issue of online cheating heck I remember pre-internet college days when students could buy term papers and pay friends to sit in on classes but online learning means students can produce authentic creative organic projects that can be presented online such as a video, slideshow, podcast, or other media content that cannot duplicated elsewhere. I recommend this book to faculty who want to improve their online instruction, instructional designers, deans and vice presidents of instruction.

Although "online" is in the title, "minds" is the more important word. The book summarizes a wide variety of the latest results from education science, with beneficial advice for all forms of instruction. This book should be valuable to all professors and instructors in tertiary education, independent of whether they will ever use any technology more modern than a chalk board. The writing is free of dogma and provides references to the research results. I have read many articles, books and blog posts about higher education, with subjects ranging from finance to political correctness to educational technology. As a university employee entrusted with helping students learn, I cannot recall any that have been been more valuable than this one, per page and time spent.

I've been preparing to teach on line (business stat) in the fall and bought six books to help. Step by step guides, etc., that claim to teach me. This book is light years ahead of the others. Solid references to the theory, organized effectively. Then functional practical suggestions of how to put that into action. Great stuff. If you only buy one guide, this is it.

Ms. Miller does a great job blending research in cognitive psychology with research in best practices for pedagogy to create a framework for all educators, but with an additional emphasis on illustrating practical strategies one can implement to optimize success for the "online learner."

Miller is an exceptionally capable writer who can transform quantities of dense, complex research findings into beautifully written, understandable text. I recommend this book to anyone who is teaching students online and all administrators who are supporting computer-aided instruction.

Just received yesterday. It looks excellent from what I have read so far. It is the required text for faculty tech course. Looks like it will be a great resource.

Dr. Miller's vast experience in online educational experience design is presented in this helpful presentation. The only way to improve it would have been to include online quizzes for each chapter ;)

I am neutral about this book. It could have more of a lesson plan format--that would help.

I purchased Minds Online as a textbook for a course. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is engaging and well written. The author has managed to find the right balance between research, studies and findings and their application. In other words, "what does it all mean" to the average reader.

I recommend this book to anyone who is teaching students online, especially first year students. Although I teach undergraduate students at university, I've learnt a few useful tips of teaching online from the book, and some theories and approaches can be applied to my own teaching.