"Ruhe and Zumbo have written the premier text for evaluation of distance education and e-learning. This is the first theoretically grounded, comprehensive guide for conducting rigorous process and outcome studies of one of the fastest-growing segments of curriculum development and education. It will be valuable to those involved in evaluating innovative educational practices and programs, today and for years to come. The book is unique in presenting both evaluation theory and practice, making it an excellent course text and practical resource."--Christina A. Christie, PhD, School of Behavioral and Organizational Sciences, Claremont Graduate University
"I found this book intriguing and worthy of thoughtful discussion by students, practitioners, and theorists. It provides a good introduction to program evaluation in the context of distance education and e-learning, and to the authors' unfolding model. I will definitely use this book in the four graduate courses I teach on evaluation and qualitative inquiry. The book will help our Instructional Psychology and Technology students sort through the issues, form their own theories, and refine their practices. Students need this kind of deep discussion of the role of stakeholder values, how to respond dynamically to continual changes in technology, and how to integrate evaluation into the design process to enhance their distance education and e-learning processes and products."--David Dwayne Williams, PhD, Department of Instructional Psychology and Technology, Brigham Young University "A much-needed text. While there are resources available to aid in the design of e-learning materials, there is very little out there focusing on how to document their effectiveness. This book presents an approach to evaluation and also provides the theory that underlies that approach. Graduate students in evaluation and instructional technology will find it a useful resource because of its balance of theory and practice. Anyone involved in designing or evaluating e-learning or technology-supported instruction needs to take a look at this book!"--Dianna Newman, PhD, Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York
"This book should have a significant impact on the field. Distance education is no longer on the periphery of teaching and learning; rather, it is now widely practiced and applied. This book is well written, clearly explained, and relevant to all those who are interested in best practices in distance education and e-learning."--Michael Simonson, PhD, Instructional Technology and Distance Education Program, Nova Southeastern University