Teaching science online : practical guidance for effective instruction and lab work /

The subtitle of this work edited by Kennepohl (chemistry, Athabasca Univ., Canada), Practical Guidance for Effective Instruction and Lab Work, thoroughly indicates what the book offers readers. It opens with the basics of moving courses in biology, chemistry, Earth science, and physics into an online format. The following chapters cover a significant amount of information related to the fundamentals of distance learning (discussions, assessments, and lecture videos) and science-specific problems, such as laboratory instruction and field trips. These chapters are succinct and well-referenced and meticulously detail where one should start when planning and implementing the process of ushering a science (or any hands-on instruction) course online. Part 2 delves into specifics through case studies and discussions of special topics within science. These chapters indicate how institutions have solved problems in specific areas (field work, disability access, professional development, home experiment kits, simulations, virtual instrumentation, and more) in relation to distance learning. Though this book is aimed at undergraduate instructors, it will be beneficial to online teachers at lower levels, including those who homeschool. This text is highly recommended for libraries serving online programs. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students; faculty and professionals. --Rebecca C. Hedreen, Southern Connecticut State University