eLearning

Free eLearning books

Since I am a great fan of open source software (Open Source Authoring Tools for e-Learning, Free and Open Source Web Conferencing Tools for e-Learning) and active member of online communities I created the following list with free e-Learning books. 41 Free e-Learning Books – (Update 10/11/2011)=> If you have read any of the following books I will highly appreciate if you share your opinion with the e-Learning community.

=> If you know a free e-Learning book that is not included in the list please I will highly appreciate if you write a comment with a link to that book.
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75 Tips to Reduce eLearning Costs – eLearning Guild
(Update 10/11/2011 suggested by Christopher Pappas)
In this complimentary eBook, eLearning Guild members reveal imaginative ways to cut eLearning costs, and share insights on how to optimize your resources to get the job done more efficiently and effectively, without sacrificing quality. See how others are doing amazing things with limited budgets, and how innovative cost-saving ideas can help you do more with less.

Michael Allen’s 2012 e-LEARNING Annual by Michael Allen (“Don’t Get Trapped by Your e-Learning Tools” by Allan Henderson) (Update 07/18/2011 suggested by Christopher Pappas). This Annual offers a revealing discussion and debate, consisting of 27 papers from 30 authors, on the appropriate selection and implementation of technology for learning solutions. “By placing so many viewpoints together, Allen has made it possible to do the classic ‘compare and contrast’ that helps develop insights and identify possibilities and strategies that fit our particular circumstances,” explains Bill Brandon, editor of Learning Solutions Magazine for The eLearning Guild, in his book review. “The authors support all of the content with decision aids, tables, and figures that you will find useful not only for your own understanding, but also for explaining new concepts and ideas to others, including decision-makers”.

Successful  e-LEARNING Interface: Making Learning Technology Polite, Effective & Fun by Michael Allen (Only Chapter 2: Introducing the CEO of LID). This book will help you use your time and resources effectively to build the best e-learning experiences possible within your contraints. As with the other books in this series, this book is geared toward pragmatic application. It’s direct and to the point: here’s how to connect with your learners, how to empower learning to make the most of e-learning’s capabilies, and how to orchestrate learning events for maximum impact: CEO—connect, empower and orchestrate.

Web 2.0 Tools in Education: A Quick Guide by Mohamed Amin Embi. (Update 07/18/2011 suggested by Christopher Pappas) This book includes 20 2.0 Tools that you can use in Education.

E-Learning: A Guidebook of Principles, Procedures and Practices by Prof Som Naidu, written for CEMCA. (Update 05/18/2011 suggested by RCSharma)

The Strategic Management of e-Learning Support by Franziska Zellweger Moser.
This book includes the research of three innovative American Universities with more than 50 interviews with key persons reflecting a wide variety of perspectives. In this research project the strategic management of e-Learning support at American research universities was studied.

Emerging Technologies in Distance Education by George Veletsianos
I highly recommend this book! (Update 02/10/2011: suggested by geirhaha)
A one-stop knowledge resource, Emerging Technologies in Distance Education showcases the international work of research scholars and innovative distance education practitioners who use emerging interactive technologies for teaching and learning at a distance.

E-Learning Concepts and Techniques – University of Pennsylvania
E-Learning Concepts and Techniques is a collaborative e-book project by Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Instructional Technology  students and guest authors. It was a project-based assignment for the online class, E-Learning Concepts and Techniques Spring 2006  and is dedicated in memory of Justin Bennett (1989-2006). It is also dedicated to those who love to learn as well as to those who inspire that love in others.

CU Online Handbook – University of Colorado Denver
(Update 12/06/2010: suggested by PRL)
Do you currently teach online? Have you thought about teaching online but for
some reason haven’t done it yet? Here at CU Online, we believe in the power of online learning. Whether you currently teach online or you are thinking about doing it in the future, we are here to help you sort through this process and we hope that this handbook might help you along the way. The boundaries between traditional face-to-face courses and completely online courses are beginning to blur. Therefore, as we move forward, we all must consider when, how, and why we integrate the tools that we do into our classrooms.

=> Resources

Learning 2.0 for Associations by Jeff Cobb
“In Learning 2.0 for Associations Jeff delivers an easy-to-read primer on how to leverage social media tools to expand the learning value that associations deliver. It’s a must-read for all association educators!”
—Mickie S. Rops, CAE / President, Mickie Rops Consulting Inc. / Chair, ASAE Professional Development Council / http://msrops.blogs.com

Videoconferencing Cookbook – ViDe 
(Update 11/27/2010: suggested by Miriam Ramos-Warth)

Who are the Intended Readers?

  • Members of the higher education academic and research communities
  • K-12 educators and technologists
  • Workplace technology integrators

Synchronous e-Learning – eLearning Guild
(Update 11/16/2010: suggested by Miriam Ramos-Warth)

The eLearning Guild’s Handbook on Synchronous e-Learning is intended for anyone who wants to produce, lead, or promote live, interactive learning events on the Web. Novices will find information on what other people are doing in this medium, which kinds of training and education are best suited to it, how to convert existing classroom content for delivery online, how to lead effective and compelling live learning events on the Web, and how to promote these events to obtain maximum participation. More experienced practitioners will find a wealth of ideas that they can use to improve or enhance their current processes. All readers will find job aids, references, examples, and information to significantly reduce the amount of time required to produce online learning events.

Designing Successful e-Learning by Michael Allen (Only Chapter 7: Designing Outside The Box)
“While its target audience is instructional designers, this book should also be required reading for all training managers seeking guidelines on implementing world-class training. Allen bridges the gap from theory to practice on both training and educational programs. His guidance is as applicable to classroom-based as it is to e-learning based training.”

— Patty Crowell, director,
Global Education Services, LSI Logic

20 webtools applied to teaching by Ana Maria Menezes

Theory and Practice of Online Learning – Athabasca University

Awarded the Charles A. Wedemeyer Award by the University Continuing Education Association. The Charles A. Wedemeyer Award recognizes publications of merit that make significant contributions to research in the field of distance education.

98 Tips for Selecting and Working with e-Learning Service Providers – eLearning Guild

In this eBook you will find:

  • 54 Tips for Selecting e-Learning Service Providers
  • 44 Tips for Working Successfully with e-Learning Service Providers
  • Improve Outsourced e-Learning Quality with Consistent Standards by Evelyn Jackson (re-print from Learning Solutions eMagazine)

701 e-Learning Tips – The MASIE Cente

Thanks to The MASIE Center’s TRENDS readers and Learning Consortium Members, over 1000 e-Learning tips were received, analyzed, and categorized. These tips are from senior managers and training professionals from major corporations around the world. We have edited and compiled 141 pages and 14 chapters covering the ABC’s of getting started to global implementation strategies.

Facilitation Online – The Center for Education Technology.

The guide contains the course model, week-by-week learning activities, general guidance to the course leader on how to implement and customize the course and specific guidelines on each learning activity. The latest version of the course manual includes several minor corrections and is dedicated to the memory of our co-author Jeanne Smuts who died on 28th July 2009.

Educating the Net Generation – An EDUCAUSE e-Book

The Net Generation has grown up with information technology. The aptitudes, attitudes, expectations, and learning styles of Net Gen students reflect the environment in which they were raised—one that is decidedly different from that which existed when faculty and administrators were growing up.This collection explores the Net Gen and the implications for institutions in areas such as teaching, service, learning space design, faculty development, and curriculum. Contributions by educators and students are included.

The Insider’s Guide to Becoming a Rapid E-Learning Pro by The Rapid e-Learning Blog

One of the great benefits of rapid e-learning is the ability to create e-learning courses much faster and easier than ever before. However, going faster and making your job easier are not the only considerations. That’s where this free 46-page ebook by Tom Kuhlmann comes in.

e-Learning Practices – Editor: Prof. Dr. Ugur Demiray

e-Learning Survival Guide by e-Learning Queen (a.k.a Susan Smith Nash)

Everything you need to succeed in the wild world of mobile learning, e-learning, and hybrid college, K-12, and career courses.

65 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your e-Learning Budget – eLearning Guild

In this eBook you will find:

  • 65 Tips for Getting the Most out of Your e-Learning Budget
  • Article – Do More With Less by Marcia L. Conner
  • Article – The e-Learning Department of One by Greg Kearsley

114 Tips on Synchronous e-Learning Strategy and Research– eLearning Guild

  • Blending Synchronous Learning with Other Learning Modalities
  • Designers of Synchronous Presentations, Courses, and Webinars
  • Managers Who Lead Synchronous Learning Efforts
  • Synchronous Speakers and Instructors
  • Technical Production, Planning, and Preparation

339 Tips on the IMPLEMENTATION of an LMS or LCMS – eLearning Guild

…is an amazing collection of tips from hundreds of your professional colleagues. Nowhere will you find a more comprehensive set of tips that you can use to improve your LMS and LCMS implementation efforts. This eBook is available for everyone regardless of their affiliation with The eLearning Guild – so don’t hesitate to tell all your colleagues about it!

382 Tips on the SELECTION of an LMS or LCMS – eLearning Guild

…is an awesome collection of tips from hundreds of your professional colleagues. These tips will help you navigate the LMS minefield, streamline your selection process, and help you save money! Nowhere will you find a more comprehensive set of tips that you can use to improve your LMS and LCMS selection efforts.

239 Tips for Producing and Managing Flash-based e-Learning Content – eLearning Guild

In February and March, 2008, The eLearning Guild conducted a survey of its members, asking for their favorite tips for producing and managing Flash-based e-Learning. A total of 147 members responded to the survey, contributing 239 usable tips on 28 products (17 of which were not included in the original list). The tips range in length from one-sentence ideas all the way up to multi-page discourses. Some are very basic in nature, and others are quite advanced. These tips were different from past surveys in one significant way: Many of them contain detailed ActionScript code that will help you solve common problems. We have not edited the tips in any way, other than to correct spelling – everything you see in this book is in the tipsters’ own words. As a result, these tips will be useful to any designer or developer looking for best practices to incorporate into their own production process.

834 Tips for Successful Online Instruction – eLearning Guild

This FREE Digital Book, 834 Tips for Successful Online Instruction is an amazing collection of tips from 336 of your professional colleagues. Nowhere will you find a more comprehensive set of tips that you can use to improve your knowledge and skills in online instruction. This eBook is available for everyone regardless of their affiliation with The eLearning Guild – so don’t hesitate to tell all your colleagues about it!

Learning Spaces – An EDUCAUSE e-Book

Space, whether physical or virtual, can have a significant impact on learning. Learning Spaces focuses on how learner expectations influence such spaces, the principles and activities that facilitate learning, and the role of technology from the perspective of those who create learning environments: faculty, learning technologists, librarians, and administrators. Information technology has brought unique capabilities to learning spaces, whether stimulating greater interaction through the use of collaborative tools, videoconferencing with international experts, or opening virtual worlds for exploration. This e-book represents an ongoing exploration as we bring together space, technology, and pedagogy to ensure learner success.

311 Tips on the MANAGEMENT of an LMS or LCMS – eLearning Guild

…is an incredible collection of tips from hundreds of your professional colleagues. Why reinvent the wheel when you can learn from these tips on the management of your LMS or LCMS system! Nowhere will you find a more comprehensive set of tips that you can use to improve your LMS and LCMS management efforts.

The eLearning Guild’s Handbook of e-Learning Strategy – eLeanring Guild

In many organizations, there is a need to better identify and document a comprehensive learning strategy and to answer the question, “What should we be doing in order to support improved learning and performance?” This e-Book will help you make a broad, fundamental connection between learning, e-Learning, and your organization’s mission, business objectives, and the bottom line. Chapters address everything from crafting a focused strategy, to keeping your strategy focused, to change management. Refocus on e-Learning strategy and insure that your e-Learning technology and methodology investments pay off and so you can achieve your e-Learning goals!

In Search of Learning Agility – eLearning Guild

This publication deviates from the typical eLearning Guild eBook. We’re publishing it here because we believe that it contains a powerful and insightful view of the role educational technology plays in organizations. The central premise is that enduring competitive advantage must be built on organizational learning agility — meaning an organization’s ability to respond to adaptive challenge through the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. The authors, Clark and Gottfredson,  sketch three distinct stages of learning agility: 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0, and illustrate a clear path forward for the meaningful use of learning technologies in organizations. This is a “must read” for managers and executives who are interested in aligning learning and training efforts and investments with larger business objectives.

162 Tips and Tricks for Working with e-Learning Tools  – eLearning Guild

The eLearning Guild asked members for their favorite tips for using software for the creation of e-Learning. Members could submit tips in any or all of the following five categories: 1) Courseware authoring and e-Learning development tools, 2) Rapid e-Learning tools, 3) Simulation tools, 4) Media tools, and 5) Combining and deploying authoring tools.

The Instructional Use of Learning Objects

This is the online version of The Instructional Use of Learning Objects, a new book that tries to go beyond the technological hype and connect learning objects to instruction and learning. You can read the full text of the book here for free. The chapters presented here are © their respective authors and are licensed under the Open Publication License, meaning that you are free to copy and redistribute them in any electronic or non-commercial print form. For-profit print rights are held by AIT/AECT. The book was edited by David Wiley, and printed versions of the book are published by the Association for Instructional Technology and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology. If you find the online book useful, please consider purchasing a printed copy.

E-Learning Concepts and Techniques by Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Instructional Technology.

E-Learning Concepts and Techniques is a collaborative e-book project by Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Instructional Technology  students and guest authors. It was a project-based assignment for the online class, E-Learning Concepts and Techniques Spring 2006.

Learning 2.0 for Associations

e-Learning in 39 Countries 

Digital Education by Antonio M. Battro and Percival J. Denham

Web Teaching by David Brooks, Diane Nolan, and Susan Gallaghe


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