New Classrooms: Teacher, Students and Screen

The Theory and Practice of Online Teaching and Learning: A Guide for Academic Professionals by Taylor and Francis Group

Reviewed by Caminos, S. and Núñez Sánchez, N.

Currently, online teaching is gathering pace faster and faster due to remarkable technological advances. Although we are all aware of these changes, moving from the traditional classroom to the virtual classroom is a huge challenge, especially for those educators who are not keen on adopting a new teaching method. Thus, we consider that the book The Theory and Practice of Online Teaching and Learning: A Guide for Academic Professionals, published by Routledge Education, is a great option for beginners who are interested in falling within the teaching and technological fields. The authors specify clearly the basics of online teaching, provide tips to help instructors make a good use of technology, and differentiate between online and onsite teaching. The book includes an introduction, which explains briefly how to use the book and gives a simple explanation of the most important topics of each chapter; and six separated chapters, written by different authors, which relate in detail the most relevant aspects of each one.

Chapter One, whose authors are Susan Ko and Steve Rossen (2010), focuses on the difference between a virtual classroom and a live classroom. They declare that, either virtual or live, your teaching approach does not need to change. At the same time, the authors emphasize the advantages and disadvantages of teaching and learning online. The principal and the most obvious disadvantage is the physical presence, but the advantages of teaching and learning in this new online environment are enormous. Students have the opportunity to communicate with anyone in the world, they can gain self-confidence when expressing their opinions and they can arrange their schedules according to their responsibilities. Teachers, whose role is the one of facilitator, can observe and review how students work in their tasks and they can prepare challenging activities, as long as they have basic knowledge of technical computer skills. Otherwise, the class would not be enriching.

Chapter Two focuses attention on some features of teaching online in the twenty-first century. They stress the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning, being asynchronous learning more effective. This kind of learning is a preferred option for busy students as the class is not fixed at any particular moment of the day and they can participate at any time that suits them. Moreover, a very important and necessary aspect this chapter highlights is the use of the Learning Management System (LMS). Teachers must know how to use the most basic programmes; and if not, the institution should provide training on how to use LMS. In addition, the authors focus on time as an important aspect for teachers and students. Students can go online more than once a day, when they believe it is convenient for them, while teachers may go online once a day depending on the activities they established; although teachers should spend a lot of time posting new material, checking participation, work, as well as giving feedback. 

Chapter Three pays attention to the introduction of e-activities, their purposes, instructions to design such activities, the requirements needed, and the participants involved. E-activities are defined as active online activities, where learners’ participation is needed. This kind of activities is more dynamic and fun for students and at the same time, they promote learning.

Chapter Four deals with a wide variety of online learning, leaving typology aside as they consider it useless. For this reason, the authors describe online learning taking into account a conceptual framework made up of: context, design features, implementation, student-instructor ratio and intended outcomes. We consider this framework as an essential guidance to have a better understanding of online learning.

Chapter Five emphasizes the idea of including open resources in our everyday activities.  Learning is vulnerable to changes through virtual and open data which are in constant connection with our social contexts, such as education, work and everyday life.

Chapter Six explores the role of technology and teaching as a design science. Teaching is considered an art as teachers not only have to be creative, and inspire their learners, but they also have to help and guide students to develop their knowledge and capabilities. In addition, the author shows the relationship between technology and education, in which she points out that education does not drive technological creations. As technology is moving forwards, teachers and learners should have a very good command of it and this way, exploit it to the fullest.

After analysing the book in depth, we may say that The Theory and Practice of Online Teaching and Learning: A Guide for Academic Professionals is particularly interesting as it gives an overview of the most important aspects to take into account about teaching online; and at the same time, the authors provide suggestions on how to make the most of technology. Therefore, we thoroughly recommend this book to teachers who are interested in learning about the basics of teaching online.

References

Taylor & Francis Group. (n.d.). The Theory and Practice of Online Teaching and Learning: A Guide for Academic Professionals. New York. Routledge. Retrieved from https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/tandfbis/rt-files/docs/FreeBooks+Opened+Up/Theory_and_Practice_of_Online_FB_final.pdf