Community of Inquiry

Garrison, D. R., & Anderson, T. (2003). E–Learning in the 21st century: A framework for research and practice. London: Routledge/Falmer.

There is currently a technological revolution taking place in higher education. The growth of e–learning is being described as explosive, unprecedented, and above all, disruptive. This timely and comprehensive book provides a coherent framework for understanding e–learning in higher education.

The authors draw on their extensive research in the area to explore the technological, pedagogical and organizational implications of e–learning, and more importantly, they provide practical models for educators to use to realize the full potential of e–learning. A unique feature of the book is that the authors focus less on the specifics of the ever–evolving technologies and more on the search for an understanding of these technologies from an educational perspective.

This book will be invaluable for researchers, practitioners and senior administrators looking for guidance on how to successfully adopt e–learning in their institutions. It will also appeal to anyone with an interest in the impact of e–learning on higher education and society.

D. R. Garrison is the Director of the Learning Commons and Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Calgary, Canada. He was formerly a Professor and Dean at the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta. Dr Garrison’s areas of research relate to the teaching and learning transaction in the context of adult, distance and higher education.

Terry Anderson is Professor and Research Chair in Distance Education at Athabasca University, Canada. He was the former Director of the Academic Technologies for Learning at the University of Alberta. Terry has 15 years of experience related to distance education as a teacher, researcher and administrator, including employment as Director of Contact North in Northern Ontario.