An Open Access edition of this book will be available on the Liverpool University Press website and the OAPEN library as part of Trailblazers. When sharing the same physical space as the students they teach, a teacher can easily gauge learners' responses and notice if their attention has wandered. In contrast, in an online room, a learner can appear to be fully engaged whilst simultaneously doing many other activities and learning little. Aimed at distance educators who teach in online rooms and grounded in innovative narrative research which provides a rare glimpse into the lives of students who study online, this engaging book provides fresh insight into students' experiences and practical inspiration for developing online pedagogy. Kathy Chandler, an experienced distance educator, takes readers on a journey which encompass welcoming students to the online room; engaging students in learning; meeting diverse needs; supporting small group work; co-teaching; developing online teaching practice; and seeking feedback on practice. Thoughtfully chosen stories from students and educators are shared to helps readers appreciate the barriers that students face, understand the reasons behind students’ preferences and rethink teaching practice. The book offers much-needed ideas about how educators can foster a culture where everyone feels welcome, knows that their contributions are valued, and everybody feels able to reach their full potential.
