Anonymity and Learning in Digitally Mediated Communications: Authenticity and Trust in Cyber Education

The anonymity inherent in cyber education impacts the way learners interact in online environments. While this sense of anonymity may free individuals to express themselves or create a new self, technology affords ways to capture, track, and scrutinize patterns ot interaction. There are legal ramifications and concerns behind this game of alter egos and emerging social mores.

Anonymity and Learning in Digitally Mediated Communications: Authenticity and Trust in Cyber Education investigates the impact of anonymity and its effects on online identity and learning. A close examination of the implications of anonymity in cyber education reveals issues of authenticity and trust, which are at the heart of online learning.

Dr. Bobbe Baggio is an accomplished author, speaker and educator. Her specific expertise is in how people learn and how to use technologies to help them learn. Her company, Advantage Learning Technologies, Inc. (ALT), has provided ID services and implemented projects for clients in finance, healthcare, gasses and chemicals, manufacturing, distribution, construction, government, and higher education. Bobbe provides programs and products so that people who are trying to use technology for teaching and learning can do so effectively. She is currently the Director of the Graduate Program in Instructional Technology Management at La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA and speaks regularly to organizations and companies around the globe. Her latest books include You Listen with Your Eyes and The Pajama Effect. Bobbe's prior experience includes being a Senior Scientist, Management Consultant, Director of IT, and Director of Software Development. Her education includes a BA from Waynesburg College, MA from West Virginia University, MS from Lehigh University and PhD from Capella University.

Dr. Yoany Beldarrain is an international speaker, accomplished author, consultant, and cyber educator with over 18 years of experience in K-12 and adult curriculum and instruction, instructional design, online teaching, as well as administrative educational leadership and faculty training. Her experiences include instructional design and evaluation of online learning initiatives, evaluation and assessment of staff, evaluation and assessment of educational and training programs, and integrating multicultural approaches in the decision-making process. Dr. Beldarrain is multi-cultural and multi-lingual, and believes in the power of cross-cultural collaboration through digitally mediated communications to meet the needs of the global marketplace. She is particularly interested in using technology tools to enhance interaction in online courses and deliver instructional strategies in engaging ways. Manuscripts by Dr. Beldarrain include The Pajama Effect, with co-author Dr. Bobbe Baggio. She continues to teach graduate level courses, present regularly at international distance learning conferences, conduct research, and provide international consulting services to educational institutions as well as the corporate sector. Dr. Beldarrain completed a PhD. in Instructional Design for Online Learning from Capella University, MS in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, and a BS in Elementary Education from Florida International University.