Teaching Online

Reviews / Votes

"This updated edition of Teaching Online: A Practical Guide, is a must-read for both veteran and new-to-online faculty. It provides real-word how-to's for online teaching core work: shaping your syllabus, leveraging the modern LMS, and the in's and out's of copyright. Additionally, it provides a new perspective on course design and the use of AI tools for content and supporting materials creation. Teaching Online provides faculty and course designers at all levels with a hands-on guide to improving learning outcomes."

-- Jennifer Sparrow, Ed.D., Associate Vice President, Research and Instructional Technology, Chief Academic Technology Officer, Research and Instructional Technology, New York University

"As online education becomes more central to the academic mission of colleges and universities, the demand for high-quality courses has never been greater. The fifth edition of Teaching Online: A Practical Guide is an invaluable resource for any instructor committed to creating meaningful and engaging learning experiences in this environment. While the guide is especially helpful for those new to teaching online, it offers valuable insights for even the most seasoned educators. Chapter 10, "Selecting Digital and AI-Driven Tools," is particularly timely, providing clear, practical advice to help instructors navigate the overwhelming landscape of academic technology."

-- Kim L. Siegenthaler, Ph.D., Senior Advisor to the President, University of Hawai?i

"Teaching Online is the kind of book every instructor wishes they had before designing their first online or blended course. This is the book that will have bookmarks, penciled notes, and the one we'll keep nearby long after. Each chapter connects sound pedagogy with the everyday realities of teaching, offering practical examples, checklists, and guidance that make the process both approachable and rewarding. What makes this book stand out is its authentic understanding of faculty work. The authors write with empathy for the challenges of online teaching and a deep respect for instructors' professional judgment. Whether the topic is course design, collaboration with the instructional design and media team, accessibility, or the responsible use of AI, the advice feels grounded and doable. In a time when online learning is central to higher education, Teaching Online reminds us that effective teaching is still about people, relationships, and purpose-supported by the right tools and thoughtful design. It's an invaluable resource for colleagues who care about teaching well, wherever learning happens."

-- Vickie S. Cook, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Enrollment & Retention Management, University of Illinois Springfield

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide continues to be the go-to resource for instructors entering the world of online and hybrid teaching. This new edition expands on its trusted foundation with timely explorations on topics such as how educators can effectively collaborate with instructional designers, teaching assistants, and co-instructors to create engaging and inclusive online courses. It also introduces practical guidance on integrating and evaluating AI tools in course design, content development, and assessment. Whether you're preparing your first online class or refreshing an existing course, this edition offers clear, research-informed strategies to help you design, teach, and support student learning in digital environments."

-- Katie Linder, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Innovation and Strategy, University of Colorado Denver

"Moving a course online can feel daunting-but it doesn't have to be. Teaching Online: A Practical Guide equips instructors with the tools, structure, and mindset needed to succeed in digital teaching. Using plain language, relatable examples, and field-tested strategies, the authors explain how to design engaging courses, manage time effectively, motivate students, and integrate new technologies wisely-including the use of AI. This updated edition shows that online teaching, done thoughtfully, can be effective and transformative-for both teachers and learners."

-- Stephen M. Kosslyn, Harvard University and Active Learning Sciences, Inc., Author of Active Learning with AI: A Practical Guide

"The 5th edition of Teaching Online: A Practical Guide provides a timely resource for educators navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of digital learning. Its strength lies in the variety of learner-centered, practical tools and resources that address the wide range of opportunities and challenges in online education. With its clear focus on adaptability for diverse student needs and attention to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, this book empowers educators to design and facilitate engaging online learning environments. Importantly, it goes beyond presenting effective course development and assessment strategies by positioning online education as a powerful and integral component of educational institutions. For those beginning their online teaching journey, and for experienced educators seeking to diversify their teaching approach, this book will serve as a trusted companion and an accessible professional development resource."

-- Corina Caraccioli, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Leadership & Human Resource Development, Louisiana State University.

"The authors are splendid guides to both novices and seasoned online professionals. They share compelling real-life practitioner stories and present clear, actionable paths for thorny challenges like addressing artificial intelligence use among designers, instructors, and learners; designing large-enrollment online engagements; teaching effectively asynchronously, live online, hybrid, hy-flex, and more; and learning the basics of backward design, intellectual property, and universal design for learning. The authors are friendly guides to the historical, conceptual, design, development, collaborative, technology, policy, learner-support, teaching, and assessment phases of technology-mediated teaching and learning. You'll find evidence-based advice on finding and collaborating with institutional resources, approaching challenges in the online space, and assessing what works. No matter your role in online or technology-supported education, this book is for you-and your students and your boss, too. I'll keep this book on the shelf right next to my keyboard: it's a go-to resource for all phases of online design and teaching."

-- Thomas J. Tobin, author of Evaluating Teaching in the Digital Era

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide remains the essential roadmap for educators navigating digital instruction in higher education. This fifth edition offers concrete strategies for creating engaging, pedagogically sound online courses, going beyond technical mechanics to address what truly matters: meaningful student engagement and learning outcomes. From foundational principles to institutional resource mapping and nuanced design considerations, the authors provide actionable guidance that respects both technological possibilities and human learning needs, with an unwavering focus on flexibility, interaction, and student-centered approaches across diverse contexts. The best part? This book is more than a handbook-it's an invitation to ongoing professional growth. The authors recognize that effective online educators are lifelong learners themselves, continuously adapting to evolving technologies, student needs, and pedagogical insights. They frame online teaching not as a fixed skill set but as an expanding practice enriched through experimentation, reflection, and collaboration with peers across institutions and disciplines. Whether you're a novice instructor or seasoned professional, this pragmatic, accessible resource will transform how you conceptualize and deliver digital education while ensuring you remain curious, current, and continually improving alongside your students."

-- Kathe Pelletier, Ed.D., Senior Director, Community Programs, EDUCAUSE

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide is a thorough and pragmatic take on how to be successful teaching online, so that students can be successful learning online. It puts the faculty member at the center of their own destiny, with practical advice, checklists, tools, and strategic suggestions for how to thrive in an increasingly disrupted world.

-- Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich, Ph.D., President and CEO, Newstate University

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide is an excellent and timely resource filled with up-to-date tools, tips, and strategies for instructors teaching in online or hybrid settings. I particularly appreciated the integration of practical guidance for teaching in the age of AI. The book offers a deep dive into some of the most current topics in online learning, including strategies for incorporating AI-enhanced OER materials, improving digital accessibility, fostering inclusive teaching in multicultural and multilingual environments, and designing scenario-based learning aligned with workforce training. Whether you've been teaching or designing online courses for five years or twenty-five, this is a must-have for your bookshelf.

-- Dawn DiPeri, Education Specialist, UNICEF and AI Education Consultant and Faculty Trainer

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide stands out not just for its depth of expertise, but for its humanity. This edition offers an exceptional breadth of practical advice, covering every stage of designing and teaching online - from course planning and student preparation to facilitation, assessment, and reflection. The new chapters on teaching large-enrolment classes and on selecting and thoughtfully integrating digital and AI-driven tools are timely, honest, and deeply useful.

This book recognises that technology should enable human presence, not replace it; that data may help us understand students, but it is care and attention that help them stay. Across chapters - from designing compassionate syllabi, to preparing anxious students for their first login, to teaching large classes without losing the human heartbeat of the course - this book shows, in practice, that good online teaching is an act of care. A vital companion for anyone committed to teaching online with rigour, compassion, and purpose."

-- Kate Lindsay, Kate Lindsay Consulting Ltd., kate@katelindsayconsulting.com

"The 5th edition of Teaching Online: A Practical Guide is an indispensable resource for both new and seasoned online educators. The author deliver proven strategies, innovative ideas, and actionable insights for the ever-evolving craft of online teaching. As the profession continues to change at an unprecedented pace, this timely edition stands out as a steady guide. The growing influence of AI makes it even more critical to strengthen and refine our digital teaching practices. The authors thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies while preserving the pedagogical foundations that sustain meaningful student engagement. Their balanced, forward-looking approach empowers educators to embrace innovation without losing sight of what matters most: creating transformative learning experiences that prepare students for an increasingly digital and interconnected world."

-- Carlos Morales, Ph.D., President, LSC-Online at Lone Star College System

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide remains one of the few resources in our field that consistently cuts through the noise surrounding digital learning-noise that too often recycles misconceptions or frames online and hybrid learning through deficit narratives. In this new edition, the authors return us to the core of what makes online teaching powerful: its capacity to be deeply human, culturally responsive, and profoundly impactful in creating access to transformative learning experiences across contexts. What distinguishes this book is the authors' unwavering commitment to people-learners, educators, and the designers and technologists who support them. The guidance is simultaneously rigorous and pragmatic, offering meaningful pathways for those new to online teaching as well as rich provocations and examples for experienced educators seeking to reimagine their practice. With its thorough landscape scan, compelling case examples, and clear-eyed attention to emerging modalities and tools, this edition is an indispensable companion for anyone committed to designing online learning that connects, creates, and truly transforms."

-- Angela Gunder, Ph.D., CEO and Founder, Opened Culture, openedculture.org

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide is an invaluable guide for instructors seeking to teach effectively in online environments. This book offers clear, practical strategies for designing engaging courses, collaborating with colleagues, and aligning activities with learning goals. The authors thoughtfully address key issues such as classroom management, large-enrollment courses, and responsible use of digital and AI tools. With its accessible approach and attention to both pedagogy and practice, this resource will help new and experienced educators navigate the complexities of online teaching with confidence and clarity.

-- Jill Stefaniak, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Learning, Design, and Technology, University of Georgia

"Drawing on the authors' decades of experience teaching online and supporting online instructors, Teaching Online: A Practical Guide offers a practical and comprehensive tour of the many teaching choices involved in today's online instruction. Much has changed in online education since the book's last edition, and the new edition offers useful guidance for navigating those changes with attention to new blended and hybrid modalities and new technologies such as generative AI. Perhaps my favorite part of the book are the stories of experienced online teachers that ground the authors' wealth of advice in the important work of supporting online learners."

-- Derek Bruff, Associate Director, Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Virginia, and author of Intentional Teaching: Principles to Guide the Use of Educational Technology in College Teaching

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide offers clear, timely, and practical guidance for both those new to online teaching as well as those with significant experience. With fresh perspectives, new voices, and expanded coverage of AI tools and large-enrollment courses, this edition provides concrete strategies instructors can apply immediately. Supportive and accessible, it remains an indispensable resource for educators committed to creating meaningful online learning experiences."

-- Patrice Torcivia Prusko, Director of Learning Design, Center for Academic Innovation, University of Michigan "This updated edition of Teaching Online: A Practical Guide, is a must-read for both veteran and new-to-online faculty. It provides real-word how-to's for online teaching core work: shaping your syllabus, leveraging the modern LMS, and the in's and out's of copyright. Additionally, it provides a new perspective on course design and the use of AI tools for content and supporting materials creation. Teaching Online provides faculty and course designers at all levels with a hands-on guide to improving learning outcomes."

-- Jennifer Sparrow, Ed.D., Associate Vice President, Research and Instructional Technology, Chief Academic Technology Officer, Research and Instructional Technology, New York University

"As online education becomes more central to the academic mission of colleges and universities, the demand for high-quality courses has never been greater. The fifth edition of Teaching Online: A Practical Guide is an invaluable resource for any instructor committed to creating meaningful and engaging learning experiences in this environment. While the guide is especially helpful for those new to teaching online, it offers valuable insights for even the most seasoned educators. Chapter 10, "Selecting Digital and AI-Driven Tools," is particularly timely, providing clear, practical advice to help instructors navigate the overwhelming landscape of academic technology."

-- Kim L. Siegenthaler, Ph.D., Senior Advisor to the President, University of Hawai?i

"Teaching Online is the kind of book every instructor wishes they had before designing their first online or blended course. This is the book that will have bookmarks, penciled notes, and the one we'll keep nearby long after. Each chapter connects sound pedagogy with the everyday realities of teaching, offering practical examples, checklists, and guidance that make the process both approachable and rewarding. What makes this book stand out is its authentic understanding of faculty work. The authors write with empathy for the challenges of online teaching and a deep respect for instructors' professional judgment. Whether the topic is course design, collaboration with the instructional design and media team, accessibility, or the responsible use of AI, the advice feels grounded and doable. In a time when online learning is central to higher education, Teaching Online reminds us that effective teaching is still about people, relationships, and purpose-supported by the right tools and thoughtful design. It's an invaluable resource for colleagues who care about teaching well, wherever learning happens."

-- Vickie S. Cook, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Enrollment & Retention Management, University of Illinois Springfield

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide continues to be the go-to resource for instructors entering the world of online and hybrid teaching. This new edition expands on its trusted foundation with timely explorations on topics such as how educators can effectively collaborate with instructional designers, teaching assistants, and co-instructors to create engaging and inclusive online courses. It also introduces practical guidance on integrating and evaluating AI tools in course design, content development, and assessment. Whether you're preparing your first online class or refreshing an existing course, this edition offers clear, research-informed strategies to help you design, teach, and support student learning in digital environments."

-- Katie Linder, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Innovation and Strategy, University of Colorado Denver

"Moving a course online can feel daunting-but it doesn't have to be. Teaching Online: A Practical Guide equips instructors with the tools, structure, and mindset needed to succeed in digital teaching. Using plain language, relatable examples, and field-tested strategies, the authors explain how to design engaging courses, manage time effectively, motivate students, and integrate new technologies wisely-including the use of AI. This updated edition shows that online teaching, done thoughtfully, can be effective and transformative-for both teachers and learners."

-- Stephen M. Kosslyn, Harvard University and Active Learning Sciences, Inc., Author of Active Learning with AI: A Practical Guide

"The 5th edition of Teaching Online: A Practical Guide provides a timely resource for educators navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of digital learning. Its strength lies in the variety of learner-centered, practical tools and resources that address the wide range of opportunities and challenges in online education. With its clear focus on adaptability for diverse student needs and attention to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, this book empowers educators to design and facilitate engaging online learning environments. Importantly, it goes beyond presenting effective course development and assessment strategies by positioning online education as a powerful and integral component of educational institutions. For those beginning their online teaching journey, and for experienced educators seeking to diversify their teaching approach, this book will serve as a trusted companion and an accessible professional development resource."

-- Corina Caraccioli, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Leadership & Human Resource Development, Louisiana State University.

"The authors are splendid guides to both novices and seasoned online professionals. They share compelling real-life practitioner stories and present clear, actionable paths for thorny challenges like addressing artificial intelligence use among designers, instructors, and learners; designing large-enrollment online engagements; teaching effectively asynchronously, live online, hybrid, hy-flex, and more; and learning the basics of backward design, intellectual property, and universal design for learning. The authors are friendly guides to the historical, conceptual, design, development, collaborative, technology, policy, learner-support, teaching, and assessment phases of technology-mediated teaching and learning. You'll find evidence-based advice on finding and collaborating with institutional resources, approaching challenges in the online space, and assessing what works. No matter your role in online or technology-supported education, this book is for you-and your students and your boss, too. I'll keep this book on the shelf right next to my keyboard: it's a go-to resource for all phases of online design and teaching."

-- Thomas J. Tobin, author of Evaluating Teaching in the Digital Era

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide remains the essential roadmap for educators navigating digital instruction in higher education. This fifth edition offers concrete strategies for creating engaging, pedagogically sound online courses, going beyond technical mechanics to address what truly matters: meaningful student engagement and learning outcomes. From foundational principles to institutional resource mapping and nuanced design considerations, the authors provide actionable guidance that respects both technological possibilities and human learning needs, with an unwavering focus on flexibility, interaction, and student-centered approaches across diverse contexts. The best part? This book is more than a handbook-it's an invitation to ongoing professional growth. The authors recognize that effective online educators are lifelong learners themselves, continuously adapting to evolving technologies, student needs, and pedagogical insights. They frame online teaching not as a fixed skill set but as an expanding practice enriched through experimentation, reflection, and collaboration with peers across institutions and disciplines. Whether you're a novice instructor or seasoned professional, this pragmatic, accessible resource will transform how you conceptualize and deliver digital education while ensuring you remain curious, current, and continually improving alongside your students."

-- Kathe Pelletier, Ed.D., Senior Director, Community Programs, EDUCAUSE

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide is a thorough and pragmatic take on how to be successful teaching online, so that students can be successful learning online. It puts the faculty member at the center of their own destiny, with practical advice, checklists, tools, and strategic suggestions for how to thrive in an increasingly disrupted world.

-- Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich, Ph.D., President and CEO, Newstate University

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide is an excellent and timely resource filled with up-to-date tools, tips, and strategies for instructors teaching in online or hybrid settings. I particularly appreciated the integration of practical guidance for teaching in the age of AI. The book offers a deep dive into some of the most current topics in online learning, including strategies for incorporating AI-enhanced OER materials, improving digital accessibility, fostering inclusive teaching in multicultural and multilingual environments, and designing scenario-based learning aligned with workforce training. Whether you've been teaching or designing online courses for five years or twenty-five, this is a must-have for your bookshelf.

-- Dawn DiPeri, Education Specialist, UNICEF and AI Education Consultant and Faculty Trainer

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide stands out not just for its depth of expertise, but for its humanity. This edition offers an exceptional breadth of practical advice, covering every stage of designing and teaching online - from course planning and student preparation to facilitation, assessment, and reflection. The new chapters on teaching large-enrolment classes and on selecting and thoughtfully integrating digital and AI-driven tools are timely, honest, and deeply useful.

This book recognises that technology should enable human presence, not replace it; that data may help us understand students, but it is care and attention that help them stay. Across chapters - from designing compassionate syllabi, to preparing anxious students for their first login, to teaching large classes without losing the human heartbeat of the course - this book shows, in practice, that good online teaching is an act of care. A vital companion for anyone committed to teaching online with rigour, compassion, and purpose."

-- Kate Lindsay, Kate Lindsay Consulting Ltd., kate@katelindsayconsulting.com

"The 5th edition of Teaching Online: A Practical Guide is an indispensable resource for both new and seasoned online educators. The author deliver proven strategies, innovative ideas, and actionable insights for the ever-evolving craft of online teaching. As the profession continues to change at an unprecedented pace, this timely edition stands out as a steady guide. The growing influence of AI makes it even more critical to strengthen and refine our digital teaching practices. The authors thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies while preserving the pedagogical foundations that sustain meaningful student engagement. Their balanced, forward-looking approach empowers educators to embrace innovation without losing sight of what matters most: creating transformative learning experiences that prepare students for an increasingly digital and interconnected world."

-- Carlos Morales, Ph.D., President, LSC-Online at Lone Star College System

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide remains one of the few resources in our field that consistently cuts through the noise surrounding digital learning-noise that too often recycles misconceptions or frames online and hybrid learning through deficit narratives. In this new edition, the authors return us to the core of what makes online teaching powerful: its capacity to be deeply human, culturally responsive, and profoundly impactful in creating access to transformative learning experiences across contexts. What distinguishes this book is the authors' unwavering commitment to people-learners, educators, and the designers and technologists who support them. The guidance is simultaneously rigorous and pragmatic, offering meaningful pathways for those new to online teaching as well as rich provocations and examples for experienced educators seeking to reimagine their practice. With its thorough landscape scan, compelling case examples, and clear-eyed attention to emerging modalities and tools, this edition is an indispensable companion for anyone committed to designing online learning that connects, creates, and truly transforms."

-- Angela Gunder, Ph.D., CEO and Founder, Opened Culture, openedculture.org

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide is an invaluable guide for instructors seeking to teach effectively in online environments. This book offers clear, practical strategies for designing engaging courses, collaborating with colleagues, and aligning activities with learning goals. The authors thoughtfully address key issues such as classroom management, large-enrollment courses, and responsible use of digital and AI tools. With its accessible approach and attention to both pedagogy and practice, this resource will help new and experienced educators navigate the complexities of online teaching with confidence and clarity.

-- Jill Stefaniak, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Learning, Design, and Technology, University of Georgia

"Drawing on the authors' decades of experience teaching online and supporting online instructors, Teaching Online: A Practical Guide offers a practical and comprehensive tour of the many teaching choices involved in today's online instruction. Much has changed in online education since the book's last edition, and the new edition offers useful guidance for navigating those changes with attention to new blended and hybrid modalities and new technologies such as generative AI. Perhaps my favorite part of the book are the stories of experienced online teachers that ground the authors' wealth of advice in the important work of supporting online learners."

-- Derek Bruff, Associate Director, Center for Teaching Excellence, University of Virginia, and author of Intentional Teaching: Principles to Guide the Use of Educational Technology in College Teaching

"Teaching Online: A Practical Guide offers clear, timely, and practical guidance for both those new to online teaching as well as those with significant experience. With fresh perspectives, new voices, and expanded coverage of AI tools and large-enrollment courses, this edition provides concrete strategies instructors can apply immediately. Supportive and accessible, it remains an indispensable resource for educators committed to creating meaningful online learning experiences."

-- Patrice Torcivia Prusko, Director of Learning Design, Center for Academic Innovation, University of Michigan