Online Education

"Picciano is one of our great and long-standing contributors to teaching, learning, and research in online education. In this book, he takes us on an entire journey through the online learning landscape. He navigates the landscape of the past and present foundations, frameworks, definitions, research, planning models, design of instruction, and support structures. The journey extends into the future, exploring how technological change is ever-changing the nature and conduct of teaching and learning and communication in online environments. The book builds on purposeful history, compelling research, and informative practice to provide deep understanding of where online education has been and where it is going. This book is a fine resource for the field, one that stakeholders in online education and in higher education will find useful for a long time to come."

—Laurie P. Dringus, Professor, College of Engineering and Computing, Nova Southeastern University, USA

"If I were trying to understand the past, present and future landscape of online learning, this book would be the overwhelming choice. The range of topics, contexts, and precise language make this a tour de force for locating the epicenters of educational transformation. Tony Picciano was there from the beginning and has nurtured our understanding of online learning for decades so this work never deviates from its purpose or avoids complex issues. This book is a bold and comprehensive portrait that frames and resets how we understand then, now, and what lies ahead. A must-read for experts as well as novices."

—Charles D. Dziuban, Director of the Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness, University of Central Florida, USA

"Dr. Picciano is a legend in the online learning community and a colleague who I have held in the highest regard for more than two decades. He provides a critically important book that captures a thoughtful reflection on where we have been and then attends to important questions related to approaches that are appropriate in our field. This foundation enables this pioneer to offer his insight and valuable predictions about the future. Recognizing that online learning can impact virtually all instruction, this is an essential resource for any educator."

—Eric E. Fredericksen, Associate Vice President for Online Learning & Associate Professor in Educational Leadership, University of Rochester, USA

"Few individuals have a historical perspective of online/blended learning like Tony Picciano. His career in education has spanned over four decades, during which time he has served in school level positions and high level university positions. His research and leadership with the Online Learning Consortium (formally the Sloan Consortium) have given him insights related to the emergence and expansion of online learning available to few others. This book includes stories from his personal journey as well as insights about the past, present, and future of education in a digital world."

—Charles R. Graham, Professor of Instructional Psychology and Technology, Brigham Young University, USA

"Although online education has taken root at the vast majority of U.S. institutions, adoption is still a work in progress. Institutional leaders must grapple with questions about mission (why?), students to be served (who, where?), maintaining quality (how?), and the appropriate level of engagement. In Online Education: Foundations, Planning, and Pedagogy, Tony Picciano lays out the foundational elements of todays’ online education practice and forecasts the future. Institutional leaders and online education practitioners alike will find this book a very useful roadmap as they establish and scale their own online initiatives."

—Joel L. Hartman, Vice President for Information Technologies & Resources and CIO, University of Central Florida, USA

"Tony Picciano has been a leader in instructional technology for over forty years, serving as a teacher, practitioner, researcher and administrator. Perspectives from those roles are what will make this book a classic. By reflecting on the historical evolution of technology and its impact on education, Tony thoughtfully discusses its potential for the future. I can think of no author better suited to reflect on online learning."

—Patsy D. Moskal, Associate Director for the Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness, University of Central Florida, USA

"No one articulates the history, the fundamentals, and the potential of online education quite like Tony Picciano. His unique perspective allows him to document the past, present, and future of online education with a longitudinal lens. In 2004, he predicted that teaching with the use of technology would be the norm in institutions of higher education. He envisioned the modality of online learning as a continuum of educational opportunities—a landscape which would be driven by both pedagogy and student preference. In this book, Picciano walks us along the paththat his vision foretold."

—Mary Niemiec, Associate Vice President for Distance Education, Director, University of Nebraska Online Worldwide, University of Nebraska, USA

"For years I have tried to find the perfect resource for my introduction to online learning course, and I have not been successful until now. Tony Picciano's book brings to light questions critical to the field (Can there be a comprehensive theoretical model for online education?) and broader issues that we should consider (What new technological breakthroughs will drive online education in the near and far future?). Tony's knowledge of the online learning field is unrivalled, in part because he has not only watched it evolve but has repeatedly helped move it forward."
—Jennifer C. Richardson, Professor, Learning, Design and Technology Program, Purdue University, USA

"Anthony G. Picciano brings his unique qualifications to this history and evolution of online learning. He had an active role in much of its development, providing him with considerable perspective on the factors that have impacted its evolution. More importantly, however, his keen observation and analytic skills allow him to clearly organize the information and provide a nuanced presentation that well serves both newcomers and seasoned veterans of the online learning field."

—Jeff Seaman, Director, Babson Survey Research Group, Babson College, USA

"Picciano's comprehensive new book provides essential insights for twenty-first-century students, faculty, and administrators. This volume will be invaluable to those seeking to understand the unique historical, theoretical, pedagogical, and technological dimensions of online education. Highly recommended."

—Peter Shea, Associate Provost for Online Education and Associate Professor of Educational Theory and Practice and CCI, University at Albany, State University of New York, USA

"Tony Picciano's new book on online education considers both the foundations of online teaching and learning and its practice from multiple higher-level perspectives. Dr. Picciano is a skilled writer who makes his thoughtful overview of the foundations of online learning, including its history, theories, and research findings, eminently readable. His treatment of the practice of online learning in terms of planning, designing, and administering online courses and programs is similarly grounded in theory and research. It provides excellent general advice to guide implementation that is likewise a good read. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in online education."

—Karen Swan, Stukel Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership, University of Illinois Springfield, USA