The "Handbook of Research on K-12 Online and Blended Learning" now available

As digital learning becomes increasingly common, the need for new and up to date information is growing as well. But as editors of the new Handbook of Research on K-12 Online and Blended Learning describe, "many [researchers] new to the field thought that they were discovering K-12 online and blended instruction for the first time." The editors, Rick Ferdig of Kent State University and Kathryn Kennedy of Michigan Virtual University's Virtual Learning Research Institute, have created a handbook to act as a key resource for existing and new researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the field. Amy Murin and I contributed the opening chapter, A History of K-12 Online and Blended Instruction in the United States. Other initial chapters lay the groundwork of the historical, international, and political landscape of digital learning. Subsequent sections share a synthesis of theoretical and empirical work describing where the field has been, what is currently known, and where researchers hope to explore in the areas of learning and learners, content, teaching, technological innovations, mobile learning, and other areas. Among the contributing authors are Michael Barbour, Kerry Rice, Susan Lowes, Leanna Archambault, Scott McLeod, and Cathy Cavanaugh. The book is licensed under Creative Commons and available for free download, or in print for $33.95. I haven't confirmed whether it will ship in time to be a stocking stuffer this year.

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Speaking of the holidays...with the end of the year fast approaching and many schools and others slowing or shutting down for the next two weeks, we will be doing so as well. Best wishes to all for a peaceful and rewarding end of the year. We will be back on or around January 5, 2015.