Faculty Member of Capella University, an Accredited Online University, Authors New Book on Strategies to Help Online Students Succeed

Dr. Tina Stavredes, a faculty chair with the online university’s School of Undergraduate Studies, focuses on helping students persist until graduation

MINNEAPOLIS--()--Tina Stavredes, PhD, a faculty chair with the psychology program in the School of Undergraduate Studies at Capella University (http://www.capella.edu), an accredited online university* that has built its reputation by providing high-quality online degree programs for working adults, has authored a new book on strategies that can help students who are pursuing an online degree persist until graduation.

The book, Effective Online Teaching: Foundations and Strategies for Student Success, provides an understanding of who the online student is, how they learn, and the challenges they have to overcome to achieve their educational goals. The instructional strategies recommended in the book are grounded in theories of learning and cognition and focus on specific strategies to help students overcome challenges in learning. It has been published by Jossey-Bass and is available through a variety of online book retailers.

According to Dr. Stavredes, the book addresses the key question: “Why are certain students not successful online, and what are the factors that need to be considered?” It focuses on preparing faculty to teach in the online environment, and addresses the motivations, needs, learning styles, and constraints of students. Stavredes adds that her book will be particularly helpful to those who teach online courses, as well as administrators of distance-learning programs.

“I wanted to write the book because of the work I have done with first-course students at Capella University,” Dr. Stavredes said. “The focus of this book is on persistence strategies to support and help students to successfully achieve their educational goals.”

As of June 30, 2011, more than 38,000 students are pursuing an online degree at Capella, with 31 percent enrolled in Capella’s doctoral degree programs, and 47 percent enrolled in Capella’s master’s degree programs. The learning and career outcomes of Capella’s students and alumni can be found at www.capellaresults.org.

About Capella University
Capella University (www.capella.edu) is an accredited online university* that has built its reputation by providing quality online degree programs for working adults. Nearly 80 percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master's, specialist, or doctoral degree programs in business, counseling, education, health administration, human resource management, human services, information technology, nonprofit management and leadership, nursing, psychology, public administration, public health, public safety, and social work. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, nursing, psychology, public administration, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 135 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 17 certificate programs. More than 38,000 students were enrolled as of June 30, 2011, from all 50 states and 59 other countries. Capella is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Founded in 1993, Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552).

Visit the Capella Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CapellaUniversity.
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* Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org.
Capella University, Capella Tower, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552), www.capella.edu.

Learn more about earning an online degree:
online education (http://www.capella.edu/online_education.aspx)
online degree (http://www.capella.edu)
accredited online university (http://www.capella.edu/about_capella/accreditation.aspx)
online college (http://www.capella.edu/online_college_degree_programs.aspx)

Contacts

Capella University
Michael Walsh, 612-977-5661
michael.walsh@capella.edu

Contacts

Capella University
Michael Walsh, 612-977-5661
michael.walsh@capella.edu