THE AUTHORS

Rena M. Palloff is owner of Crossroads West, which works with institutions, organizations, and corporations interested in the development of online distance learning and training programs and conducting faculty development training and coaching. In addition, she has consulted extensively in health care, academic settings, and addiction treatment for well over twenty years. Palloff is faculty at Fielding Graduate University in the master's degree program in organizational management and development and in the School of Educational Leadership and Change, where she designed a master's degree in education program focusing on teaching online, integrating technology in the K–12 classroom, and the use of social media in education. She is adjunct faculty at Capella University as well, in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, teaching and mentoring in the professional doctorate in social work. She also conducts faculty development training for the University of the Rockies and mentors doctoral dissertations at Walden University.

Palloff received a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She holds a master's degree in organizational development and a Ph.D. in human and organizational systems from Fielding Graduate University.

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Keith Pratt began his government career as a computer systems technician with the U.S. Air Force. He served in various positions, including supervisor of computer systems maintenance, chief of the Logistics Support Branch, chief of the Telecommunications Branch, and superintendent of the Secure Telecommunications Branch. After leaving the air force, Pratt held positions as registrar and faculty (Charter College), director (Chapman College), and trainer and consultant (the Growth Company). As an adjunct faculty member at Wayland Baptist University and the University of Alaska, Pratt taught courses in communications, business, management, organizational theories, and computer technology. He was assistant professor in the international studies program and chair of the management information systems program, main campus and overseas, at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. He currently teaches online at Wayland Baptist University, Capella University, and Walden University.

Pratt graduated from Wayland Baptist University with a dual degree in business administration and computer systems technology. He has an M.S. in human resource management from Chapman University, an M.S. in organizational development, a Ph.D. in human and organizational systems from Fielding Graduate University, and an honorary doctorate of science from Moscow State University.

Since 1994 Palloff and Pratt have collaboratively conducted pioneering research and training in the emerging areas of online group facilitation, face-to-face and online community building, program planning and development of distance learning programs, and management and supervision of online academic programs. In conjunction with Fielding Graduate University, they developed the online teaching and learning academic certificate program designed to assist faculty in becoming effective online facilitators and course developers.