About VCOLR

The Virtual Center for Online Learning Research (VCOLR) is a consortium of partners focusing on the research and development of best practices in online education, particularly higher education. VCOLR is most directly concerned with the delivery of improvement of online education coursework over the Internet, and determining which practices may be involved in increasing the effectiveness of online learning.

Initially funded with a congressional grant under the name National Center for Online Learning Research (NCOLR), the center was jointly housed at the University of Idaho and the University of Alabama. The Journal of Interactive Online Learning (JIOL) was launched in 2002 and has since attracted contributions from a growing number of international scholars. In 2006, NCOLR was renamed VCOLR in order reflect the growing participation from the national and international community.

This website serves as a portal to the Journal of Interactive Online Learning and the work of VCOLR partners. This site will highlight the work of colleagues from a growing number of institutions who are pioneering the development of new online teaching and learning practices based on learning theories that go beyond direct instruction and support highly interactive learning environments.

VCOLR Partners

Partners involved in the development of VCOLR include faculty and staff from:

• The University of Alabama
• The University of Idaho
• Miami University (Ohio)
• Northern Michigan University
• University of Northern Iowa
• Illinois State University
• Southern Connecticut State University
• the NASA Opportunities for Visionary Academics (NOVA) University Network.

VCOLR Mission

It is the mission of VCOLR to construct, study, and disseminate research for the development and evaluation of online learning environments.
VCOLR is committed to encouraging the best teaching, learning, and technology practices as identified by research to enhance and deliver instruction. Educators, scientists, engineers and software developers are participating in this consortium to develop research-based strategies for more effective teaching and learning through online pedagogy and design.

VCOLR is committed to addressing the following specific recommendations included in the Web-Based Education Commission Report:

• Provide continuous and relevant training and support for educators and administrators at all levels. Professional development-for preK-12 teachers, higher education faculty, and school administrators-is the critical ingredient for effective use of technology in the classroom. VCOLR is developing certification program recommendations for faculty who deliver online education that focuses on best practice, research, and current learning theory.

• Build a research framework of how people learn in the Internet age. VCOLR partners are designing a research program built on a deeper understanding of how people learn, how new tools support and assess learning gains, what kinds of organizational structures support these gains, and what is needed to keep the field of learning moving forward.

• Public and private sectors joining forces in developing high quality content and Interactive Learning Environments. VCOLR is collaborating with faculty from universities, designers from industry, and government agencies to develop new Online Learning Environments Technologies to improve teaching and learning in all areas of education.

Publications

Journal of Interactive Online Learning

http://www.ncolr.org/jiol

The Journal of Interactive Online Learning is an online publication of the Virtual Center for Online Learning Research, and an effort of faculty members from The University of Alabama, The University of Idaho, Miami University (Ohio), and other VCOLR partner institutions.

This journal of theory, research, and practice in interactive online learning serving all disciplines aims to:

• Provide a forum for the dissemination of research on interactive online education
• Disseminate ideas that enhance the practical aspects of interactive online education
• Further knowledge and understanding of emerging innovations in online education
• Foster debate about the use and application of online education

VCOLR Annotated Bibliography: Results of Research on Online Instruction

This annotated bibliography represents a significant and ongoing effort to provide a centralized and comprehensive resource for reviewing the research literature relating to interactive online pedagogy.

• PDF format
• MS Word format

Conferences and Events

2002 National Conference on Online Interactive Learning:
Best Practice in Using Online Learning for the Professional Education of Teachers & College Faculty

• Download proceedings (PDF format)