Improving Your College Courses: A Guide for Engaging in Digital Learning

This new and innovative book, Improving Your College Courses: A Guide for Engaging in Digital Learning, provides instructors from any discipline with a guide for improving course quality and engaging learners in digital learning environments. It inspires professional development and learning (PDL) by making available an indispensable resource for higher education faculty seeking to enhance their teaching practices, propel meaningful experiences, and improve student outcomes. Instructors and administrators will want to read this research-informed, practical book authored by faculty with expertise in digital learning environments. All of them have published on this topic, some earning digital certifications and online teaching awards. Faculty and administrators attracted to a blend of theoretical insights and practical applications will welcome a solid resource for instructors engaged in continuous course improvement and PDL. At the same time, administrators overseeing faculty development as well as mentoring coordinators who sponsor PDL around instructional effectiveness and ethics will benefit from the use of the volume. Professors will find strategies that can be immediately implemented in their courses, making them a valuable tool for PDL. It will be a "must have" for new instructors and faculty who are adapting their teaching for a digital world. The book covers essential topics including course introduction; content and materials; engagement activities; accessibility and usability; and support strategies; as well as practical methods such as case studies, glossary, and appendix and supplementary materials with web content. Improving Your College Courses features pictures, figures, drawings, charts, and graphs designed to clearly illustrate the steps and concepts narrated. This book is designed to be an indispensable resource for educators seeking to enhance their teaching practices and improve student outcomes.

Dr. Daniel W. Eadens is an accomplished scholar, decorated military officer, and dedicated educator whose career spans K–12 classrooms, university leadership, and global service. He currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education within the College of Community Innovation and Education at the University of Central Florida, where he previously coordinated academic programs and contributed to strategic departmental growth. Before joining UCF, Dr. Eadens held multiple leadership roles at Northern Arizona University (NAU), including Assistant Department Chair, Study Abroad Coordinator, and tenured Associate Professor of Educational Leadership. His early career in Florida's public schools included roles as an elementary and special education teacher, behavior specialist, and school administrator—experiences that continue to inform his commitment to preparing effective, equity-driven school leaders. Dr. Eadens is also a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he served honorably for 25 years in Civil Affairs. His military service included deployments to Japan, Puerto Rico, Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq (combat). He earned his B.S. in Education, M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of South Florida. His research focuses on critical issues in educational leadership, including school safety, social justice, school finance, and administrator preparation and evaluation. He co-edited Social Justice Instruction: Empowerment on the Chalkboard (Papa, Eadens, & Eadens, 2016), and remains an active scholar and contributor to the field. Dr. Eadens was named a Faculty Research Fellow, Excellence in Educational Leadership Award, and received a Global Impact Award. Dr. Eadens brings scholar-leader experience essential to imparting his commitment to advancing educational leadership seamlessly through teaching, research, and service.

Carol A. Mullen, PhD, is Professor of Educational Leadership at Virginia Tech, Virginia, USA, and a Fulbright Senior Scholar alumnus. She researches mentoring, equity/justice, and policy topics, with articles published in such journals as American Journal of Distance Education, International Journal of Mentoring & Coaching in Education, Journal of Further and Higher Education, Journal of Research on Leadership Education, Mentoring & Tutoring, and Policy Futures in Education. Her recent books include Equity in School Mentoring and Induction (2025) and Handbook of Social Justice Interventions in Education (2021, edited). She is past president of University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA), Society of Professors of Education, and International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership (ICPEL). At two universities, she served as department chair, associate dean, and School of Education director. She has received many (inter)national awards, including the Jay D. Scribner Mentoring Award and Master Professor Award (UCEA), Living Legend Award (ICPEL), and the Mary Anne Raywid Award (SPE). Virginia Tech's recognitions include the XCaliber Award for Excellence in Technology Assisted Teaching and Learning for innovative use of technology for improving student learning, in addition to the Excellence in Research and Creative Scholarship Award (twice awarded), the Alumni Award for Excellence in International Research, and the Alumni Award for Research Excellence. Her alma mater, the University of Toronto, honored her with the Leaders and Legends Excellence Award. She has authored/edited 29 books, 250 journal articles and chapters in others' books, and 18 guest-edited issues of journals.