Abstract of the seminar

This presentation examines the online classroom and presents a set of “best practices” which can guide the evaluation of an online course. The differences between the online and traditional classroom suggest a set of practices unique to the online classroom that can be used to improve the success of courses taught in connected learning spaces. Techniques for increasing interaction online, enhancing social community and moderating conferences will be suggested. Reference will be made to a 5 year longitudinal study of interaction and social presence in the online classroom that was conducted at Arizona State University.

Brief biography of speaker

Dr. Marina McIsaac is Professor Emeritus of Educational Technology at Arizona State University in the U.S. where she taught and conducted research in computer applications to education, telecommunications and distance education for over 20 years. Her research has focused on the applications of technology to distance learning, particularly in cross- cultural settings. She has developed internet-based courses on the theory and practice of distance education. She is President of International Training Associates, a consulting firm specializing in training teachers in distance education practices. Dr. McIsaac currently serves as U.S. Deputy Representative to the International Council for Educational Media (ICEM).

McIsaac has published more than 100 scholarly journal articles and presented over 70 conference papers nationally and internationally on distance education, computers, and the uses of educational media. She is Past-President of the International Division of the Association for Educational Communication and Technology, a Past-President of the Research and Theory Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology, and a Past-President of the International Visual Literacy Association.

McIsaac has been the recipient of three Fulbright Senior Scholar/Researcher International awards. Most recently she was awarded a Fulbright Alumni Initiatives Award, to collaborate with the Open Education Faculty at Anadolu University in Turkey. She has conducted symposia on distance education in Portugal, Germany , Italy, Australia, and Turkey. She served as a technical advisor for the United States Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES), a consultant for the National Institute for World Trade, the Turkish Ministry of Education, and has received grants from the Polaroid Foundation, the USIA, and the United States Department of Education.