Navigating the Impossible in Online Learning Design

Navigating the Impossible in Online Learning Design explores a range of innovative practices and opportunities for rethinking teaching and assessment in online higher education. Emerging societal norms like remote work, lifelong learning, and consumer technologies have challenged traditional approaches to university education, leaving post-secondary students in need of greater flexibility from their institutions. Building upon authentic empirical research cases and constructivist learning approaches, this book demonstrates how teaching and assessment can be designed to integrate and leverage digital technologies, engage and motivate learners, and facilitate collaborative and innovative learning in ways that align with the needs of increasingly automated societies. Chapters focus specifically on educational activities often considered impossible to undertake or be assessed online, such laboratory work, practicums, fieldwork, physical assessment, and research supervision. Tools and formats discussed include generative artificial intelligence, models of gamification, micro-learning, personalized learning, virtual reality, and more. Instructional designers, learning scientists, and teaching faculty charged with course design and development will come away inspired to sustain innovation in online teaching and assessment.

Rachel Fitzgerald is Associate Professor (Management) and Deputy Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Queensland, Australia. Henk Huijser is Associate Professor and Strategic Lead for Educator Development & Recognition in the Learning and Teaching Unit at Queensland University of Technology, Australia.

Chapter 1. Redefining pedagogy: Innovations in online learning Chapter 2. The value of the virtual laboratory Chapter 3. Role play in the virtual practicum Chapter 4. Collaboration online: Working with groups and teams Chapter 5. Observation and fieldwork in the digital world Chapter 6. Lifelong learning and professional development Chapter 7. Virtual research supervision Chapter 8. Shaping the future of university education