Developing Online Learning in the Helping Professions

This hands-on guide addresses the unique challenges of educators in the helping professions who have minimal or no experience with online technologies. Written for online instructors, clinical faculty, program directors, administrators, and other educators, it describes practical and effective ways to teach material that is intrinsically based on face-to-face interaction through mediated means. Grounded in research and the expertise of authors with years of online teaching experience, the book moves from the basics of online course delivery to more complex arenas such as preparing both instructors and students to effectively transition to online learning. The book examines a variety of online designs uniquely suited to courses in the helping professions, including such platforms as Blackboard Collaborate, Blackboard Vista, and Moodle. Moving beyond lecture-level education, the text discusses online supervision of students who are beginning field and clinical experiences, as well as ethical considerations when teaching and supervising online. Replete with abundant tips, reflective questions, checklists, timelines, and vignettes, the text also includes an entire chapter devoted to overcoming fears of the online environment for both instructor and student. KEY FEATURES: Addresses the unique needs and concerns of online teaching and training in the helping professions Provides examples of course content at multiple levels and practice settings Includes practical tips, reflective questions, checklists, course design timelines, and vignettes to support the reader at all stages of teaching online Defines key terms and definitions Considers common pitfalls to avoid