The Distance Education Evolution: Issues and Case Studies

The Distance Education Evolution: Case Studies addresses issues regarding the development and design of online courses, and the implementation and evaluation of an online learning program. Several chapters include design strategies for online courses that range from the specific to the universal. Many authors address pedagogical issues from both a theoretical and applied perspective. This diverse compilation of contributions by Temple University administrators and faculty gives a comprehensive overview of the distance education experience that can serve as a guide to others interested in providing quality distance education.

Dominique Monolescu, Ph.D. is the Interim Director of Temple University’s Online Learning Program and an Adjunct Faculty Member at Arcadia University. Her research, primarily in distance education, student and faculty interaction, online focus groups, desktop videoconferencing, and virtual conferences, has appeared in such journals as Internet and Higher Education and the American Journal of Distance Education. She holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Temple University, and a B.A. in Business and a B.A. in Special Education from Mackenzie University, Brazil.

Catherine Schifter, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in Curriculum, Instruction and Technology in Education at Temple University, USA, a Carnegie Scholar (2000-2001), and Director of the Temple Online Learning Program from 1996 through 2000. Currently, Dr. Schifter is the Faculty Fellow for the Temple University Teaching and Learning Center that was established to support faculty in all endeavors of teaching and learning in traditional and online environments. Her most recent scholarship has been in reviewing national trends for Distance Education faculty support models in higher education, and evaluation of faculty development programs for infusing technology into classrooms in K-12 education.

Linda Greenwood is a doctoral student in the Mass Media and Communication Program in the School of Communications and Theater at Temple University, USA. As an Adjunct Lecturer and Teaching Assistant, she has taught courses in public speaking, political communication, and media studies and received the International Communication Association (ICA) award for excellence in Graduate Assistance Teaching. Linda graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University with a B.A. in English and earned an M.A. in rhetoric and communication from Temple University. She is currently writing her dissertation on the effects of virtual desktop environments and computer-mediated communication on political attitudes and behavior.