Leading the eLearning Transformation of Higher Education

“In these times of increasing reliance on e-learning, this text is an essential guidebook for leaders who intend to launch into the sometimes choppy waters of innovating through online learning. The information in this book will help leaders at all levels to chart a course of action that will lead institutions to effective implementation and consequent transformation.”

Ali Charr-Chellman, Ph.D. Dean, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences

University of Idaho

"If you are a University leader whose institution just became 100% online thanks to COVID19, this is a must-have book. Miller and Ives have curated timely well-honed chapters on key topics that will serve as a guiding light for your overnight transformation. The chapter authors are the standouts of online education from its inception to current experts. A strong combination of research-informed practice and many 'how tos'--a book you need today when the future just landed at your feet. And make no mistake--there is no going back to pre-COVID19 normal. From now on you will need to be conversant with some level of quality online education. Start with this book."

Marie Cini

Executive Consultant and Strategic Advisor at ED2WORK

"An amazingly well-researched and solid piece of work that provides the necessary historical platform upon which we can build a future of learning that moves beyond eLearning as a category to learning in general in the information age. To have this contribution made by the actual pioneers, architects and innovators in eLearning provides an authentic document reflecting the last three decades of hard work against entrenched odds."

Gordon Freedman, President

National Laboratory for Education Transformation, NLET

“This book is a must-read for aspiring and present online leaders who want to learn more about the intersection of technology, innovation, and leadership. The collective wisdom of these expert authors in the e-learning field brings thoughtful and insightful perspectives on the e-learning landscape at an unprecedented time in our history when online learning is relied on more than ever to transform higher education.”

Chris A. Bustamante, former President of Rio Salado College

CAEL Senior Fellow, and Education Consultant

“This is one of those books that every educator, administrator and policymaker needs to read now. The authors and experts, who represent online learning’s visionaries, innovators and practitioners, offer up clear and authoritative guidance at a time when it could not be more relevant or essential. They have rendered higher education a path forward in its hour of need."

Anthony G. Picciano, Professor

Hunter College and CUNY Graduate Center

"The second edition historically contextualizes eLearning and provides needed attention to issues of diversity and equity. [It speaks] to issues that have only intensified as a result of the dramatic pivot to emergency remote teaching caused by the closure of universities worldwide in efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

A statement by Karen Swan sums up the gravity of the current state of academia and its modus apparatus: ‘[I]t isn’t clear that higher education will survive in its current form.’ The contributors to this edited volume address this challenge and its myriad of causes in practical ways that are well grounded in theory; the result is chapters that are easily accessible to readers in non-leadership positions as well as current leaders.

Although Chapter 15, ‘Emerging Leadership Issues,’ is in the last section of the book, in many ways it should be read first if a reader has any doubt that the traditional higher education model should be changed and that eLearning can contribute meaningfully to this transformation.

This book is an informative read for all stakeholders in academia. Indeed, it is written for an eLearning leader audience, but the issues raised, researched, and discussed have huge implications for faculty and students. Ms. Ford states in summary that ‘What we are seeing now is a rebirth of higher education in many ways. We are starting to break the current, industrial era higher education mold.’ The COVID-19 pandemic has, if anything, hastened the breaking of this mold, and all involved in higher education should be informed and involved in this transformation.”

Teachers College Record

"I highly recommend this book to any existing and emerging American online leaders in higher education, including online learning leaders in business, government, healthcare, and other sectors. What is delightfully deceptive about this book is that nearly all the chapters are enjoyable reads and yet they are all indelibly immersed in a conclave of scholarly research and written by very experienced leaders in the online learning field. The reference lists alone and their quality are an invaluable resource in this book."

Don Olcott, Jr., University of South Africa

Online Learning Journal