The Encyclopedia of Female Pioneers of Online Learning is the first volume to explore the lives and scholarship of women who have prominently advanced online learning. From its humble origins as distance education courses conducted via postal correspondence to today's advances in the design and delivery of dynamic, technology-enhanced instruction, the ever-evolving field of online learning continues to be informed by the seminal research and institutional leadership of women. This landmark book details 30 preeminent female academics, including some of the first to create online courses, design learning management systems, research innovative topics such as discourse analysis or open resources, and speak explicitly about gender parity in the field. Offering comprehensive career profiles, original interviews, and research analyses, these chapters are illuminating on their own right while amounting to an essential combination of reference material and primary source.
"Historically, the online and distance learning (ODL) field has been dominated by men, but where are the women? This much-needed book answers that question and provides a unique historical perspective into the groundbreaking contributions that women have made to ODL research and practice: from instructional design and pedagogy development to exploring new technologies and influencing public and political policy. Bainbridge and Wark's book is an essential legacy to the pioneering work of these women in ODL."
-Lisa Marie Blaschke, Ph.D., Program Director of the Master in Management of Technology Enhanced Learning at the Center for Lifelong Learning at University of Oldenburg, Germany
"Women are disproportionately attracted to open and distance learning (ODL) as students. Moreover, the slow adoption of fair selection procedures in conventional higher education led many brilliant women to opt for careers in ODL. This book is a splendid attempt to tell the stories of some of these stars, many of whom I have worked with during my career. I hope this book will inspire other scholars to explore this field more widely."
-Sir John Daniel, O.C., Chancellor of the Acsenda School of Management - Vancouver, Canada, and former Chair of the International Board of the United World Colleges and Vice-Chancellor at the Open University, UK
-Lisa Marie Blaschke, Ph.D., Program Director of the Master in Management of Technology Enhanced Learning at the Center for Lifelong Learning at University of Oldenburg, Germany
"Women are disproportionately attracted to open and distance learning (ODL) as students. Moreover, the slow adoption of fair selection procedures in conventional higher education led many brilliant women to opt for careers in ODL. This book is a splendid attempt to tell the stories of some of these stars, many of whom I have worked with during my career. I hope this book will inspire other scholars to explore this field more widely."
-Sir John Daniel, O.C., Chancellor of the Acsenda School of Management - Vancouver, Canada, and former Chair of the International Board of the United World Colleges and Vice-Chancellor at the Open University, UK