The Virtual Student: a Profile and Guide to Working with Online Learners.

By Rena M. Palloff and Keith Pratt Jossey-Bass, 2003, 191 pp., $29

The typical online student may be somewhat different than the typical brick-and-mortar student: technology-savvy, self-motivated, and willing to work hard in pursuit of educational goals. So how do you make sure that the online environment is conducive to teaming for this special population? To answer that question, Palloff and Pratt have written an accessible guide, backed by research and personal experience, to facilitating community-building and supporting learning for the online student. Fitted with examples, anecdotes, and instructions, Virtual Student deserves a spot on every university educator's bookshelf.