Welcome to the Guide to Everything eLearning!  The resources, activities and assignments on this site are designed to be used in this course.

In this course, learners will gain a holistic understanding of eLearning through investigations of topics including online program development, new learning models, virtual student support, instructional design and development, and eLearning infrastructure and architecture, and a brief survey of the history of distance education.  Learners will discover and practice how to find, consume, and analyze information about eLearning in higher ed.  The course is project-based, and learners will develop their own virtual portfolios, using the creation of presentations, learning objects and artifacts to demonstrate associated eLearning competencies while preparing a professional, personal site.

Thirty-two percent of all higher education students now take at least one class online, with the number of college students in online courses reaching 6.7 million this year alone according to a study conducted by Babson Survey Research Group.  Many higher education administrators are unaware of the components of successful eLearning programs, courses and support services, and as they become a greater part of the higher education landscape, understanding how to administer an institution that utilizes such programs and courses is critical.

This course consists of a series of Topics.  There will be resources, activities, and assessments that will provide you with every opportunity to gain a rich understanding of the field of eLearning (or as much as is possible in an 8 week course!)

The Topics in this course are:

1. Topic 1:  Welcome & A Brief History of Distance Learning
2. Topic 2:  A Holistic Look at the Field of eLearning
3. Topic 3:  The Learning Experience
4. Topic 4:  Behind the Learning Experience
5. Topic 5:  The Customer Experience
6. Topic 6:  Behind the Customer Experience
7. Topic 7:  Bringing it All Together

In each Topic, you will be asked to engage in resources including articles, reports and blog posts, videos and podcasts.  You will then engage with fellow learners in discussions and Q & A, as well as independent activities.  Finally, you will create work product – projects that will demonstrate your mastery of the competencies.

(c) 2018 Alexandera Thackaberry all rights reserved, contact author for permissions.