This multiple case study explores how instructors conceptualize and employ scaffolding in online courses. Participants included full time faculty (n = 4) who have designed and taught at least one online course within the past 12 months. Data sources included pre-interview surveys, semi-structured interviews, and online course observations. Data…

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are among the latest e-learning initiative that have gained a wide popularity among many universities. Student dropout in MOOCs is a major concern in the higher education and policy-making communities. Most student dropout is caused by factors outside the institution's control. In this study, a multiple-criteria…

This study examines users' perceptions of an online course design checklist. We created the Online Course Design Checklist (OCDC) to help highlight very basic criteria that may improve the quality of online courses. The OCDC highlights criteria that should not be ignored during online course development. It is based on components of established…

In this qualitative case study, the researcher draws on interviews with 13 faculty in an online doctoral program to find out how professional development offerings strengthened distance instructors' technical, pedagogical and content knowledge. Findings suggest that guided practice sessions in the virtual classroom strengthened newer faculty…

MOOCs have been seen as holding promise for advancing Open Education. While the pedagogical design of the first MOOCs grew out of the Open Education Movement, the current trend has MOOCs exhibiting fewer of the original openness goals than anticipated. The aim of this study is to examine the practices and attitudes of MOOC educators at an African…

Online instructors in higher education play a key role in the success or failure of electronic learning systems (ELSs). Their expertise in and use of technology tools in ELSs influence the quality of information presented, their system use and satisfaction during course delivery. This study adapted Holsapple and Lee-Post's ("Decis Sci J Innov…

This paper explores the design of "service-learning" experiences to engage college students in the real-world application of course subject matter. Service learning is an educational approach that combines community service, academic coursework, and work-based applied learning. Based on data gathered during a series of recent interviews…