Essentials of Online Course Design: A Standards-Based Guide (Essentials of Online Learning) - Softcover

Vai, Marjorie; Sosulski, Kristen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1032644249 ISBN 13: 9781032644240

Publisher: Routledge, 2026

Synopsis

The third edition Essentials of Online Course Design takes a fresh, thoughtfully designed, step-by-step approach to online course development. Although online learning proliferates across today’s K-12, higher education, and business sectors, creating online courses can still evoke a good deal of frustration, negativity, and wariness in those responsible for their quality and functionality. This book provides readers with a set of standards based on best practices in the field of online learning and teaching. Pedagogical, organizational, and visual design principles are presented and modeled throughout the book, and users will quickly learn from the guide’s hands-on approach.

The guide’s key features include:

• a practical approach informed by theory
• clean interior design that offers straightforward guidance from page one
• clear and jargon-free language
• examples and screenshots from learning management systems to clarify and support the text
• a checklist of online course design standards that readers can use to self-evaluate
• a companion website with examples, adaptable templates, interactive learning features, and other resources: http://essentialsofonlinecoursedesign.com

This thoroughly revised third edition incorporates new content on live video instruction, updated technology terms and software applications, suggestions for how to incorporate and deal with artificial intelligence, increased coverage of digital accessibility strategies, refreshed examples and references, and more. Readers of this highly popular book will find that preparing for online teaching can be a satisfying and engaging experience.

Third Edition companion website coming soon!

About this title

About the Author

Marjorie Vai has been directly involved with online education and training for 30 years. Most recently she designed and developed the online graduate program in teaching English at The New School, USA.

Kristen Sosulski is Executive Director of the Learning Science and Clinical Professor of Technology, Operations Management, and Statitistics at New York University, Stern School Business, USA.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1032644249
• ISBN 13: 9781032644240
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 282