Lessons from the Virtual Classroom: The Realities of Online Teaching, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER NINE

LESSONS LEARNED IN THE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM

What key lessons have we learned in our exploration of all the myriad issues and concerns involved with the design, development, and delivery of online courses and programs? We end this book with a review of the most important lessons from the virtual classroom: we take another look back, an additional look at the present, and then a look ahead into the near future of online education. Changes are occurring rapidly, making it almost impossible to see very far into the future of distance learning. However, some predictions are being made based on current developments that are encouraging yet also indicate a need for caution and measured action. We organize the lessons as those for faculty; ...