Foreword; Sir John Daniel.
- A Focus on Online Learning Communities; Rocci Luppicini.
- Part I. Perspectives on Online Learning Communities.
- Chapter 1. Online Learning Communities in Perspective; Rena M. Palloff and Keith Pratt.
- Chapter 2. A Typology of Catalysts, Emphases and Elements of Virtual Learning Communities; Richard A. Schwier.
- Chapter 3. Online Learning Communities with Online Mentors: A Conceptual Framework; Shujen L. Chang.
- Chapter 4. Foundations and Practice for Web-Enhanced Science Inquiry: Grounded Design Perspectives; Minchi C. Kim and Michael J. Hannafin.
- Part II. Design and Instruction for Online Learning Communities.
- Chapter 5. Designing Effective Online Instruction; Gary Morrision and Steven Ross.
- Chapter 6. The Use of Discussion Forums in Learning Communities; Kinshuk and L. M. Jeffrey.
- Chapter 7. Engaging and Supporting Problem Solving in Online Learning; David H. Jonassen.
- Chapter 8. Laying the Groundwork for the Development of Learning Communities within Online Courses; Jennifer V. Lock.
- Part III. Research on Online Learning Communities.
- Chapter 9. Connections in Web-Based Learning Environments: A Research-Based Model for Community Building; Janette R. Hill, Arjan Raven and Seungyeon Han.
- Chapter 10. Identifying Factors That Affect Learning Community Development and Performance in Asynchronous Distance Education; Douglas Harvey, Leslie A. Moller, Jason Bond Huett, Veronica M. Godshalk, and Margaret Downs.
- Chapter 11. Examining the Use of Learning Communities to Increase Motivation; Jason Bond Huett, Leslie A. Moller, Douglas Harvey, and Mary E. Engstrom.
- Chapter 12. Linking Community Partners: Utilizing Videoconferencing; Pamela A. Havice, William L. Havice, Clint Isbell, and Larry Grimes.
- Part IV. International Perspectives on Online Learning Communities.
- Chapter 13. Exploring Elements for Creating an Online Community of Learners within a Distance Education Course at the University of Southern Queensland; P. A. Danaher, Andrew Hickey, Alice Brown, and Joan M. Conway.
- Chapter 14. Building Learning Communities Around New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) E-Schools Initiative; Peter E. Kinyanjui.
- Chapter 15. International Perspectives on Distance Education and Learning Communities Within Anglophone Commonwealth Countries; Badri N. Koul.
- Chapter 16. Orchestrating Ethics for Distance Education and Online Learning; Ugur Demiray.
- Part V. TRs in Online Learning Communities.
- Chapter 17. Online Self-Organizing Social Systems: Four Years Later; David Wiley and Erin Brewer.
- Chapter 18. Exploring Qualitative Methodologies in Online Learning Environments; Mary Beth Bianco and Alison A. Carr-Chellman.
- Chapter 19. Revisiting Categories of Virtual Learning Communities for Educational Design; Rocci Luppicini.
- Chapter 20. Contrasting Forces Affecting the Practice of Distance Education; Brent G. Wilson, Patrick Parrish, Nathan Balasubramanian, and Scott Switzer.
- About the Authors.