Guest Editor’s Introduction: Facilitating Interaction, Collaboration, Community, and Problem-Solving Capabilities in Blended and Fully Online Technical Communication Programs: An Introduction to the Special Issue

Abstract

I first started teaching technical communication online over a decade ago. Although teaching online was new to me, I had been teaching courses about instructional design and e-learning for a few years, so I learned—through preparing those courses—how best to teach online. In particular, I learned about the importance of clear objectives, structured content, information design, aligned assessment, and engaging activities. I learned about constructivism, connectivism, and the benefits of problem-based learning to encourage deeper learning. I also learned how important it is to use technology the right way