Book Review
Online Student Skills and Strategies Handbook
Reviewed by Dr. Richard A. Schilke

The stated purpose of this handbook is “to give online instructors a tool to help their students develop and improve the skills and competencies that are necessary for success in online courses” (p. ix).   The authors have met their purpose for the most part.  The authors address general online student organization and learning skills in addition to three key software tools, web-browser, email, and course delivery environments.  This handbook serves as an excellent fundamental resource for beginning and intermediate online and hybrid students. 

The handbook’s first of six chapters provides a series of self-assessment checks for students that measure mastery of computer and learning skills essential for success.  Each assessment item is cross referenced to book sections that cover that specific skill.

Chapters two and three provide detailed step-by-step tutorials on using web-browsers and email.  The topics cover a wide range of skills, including:  identifying computer requirements, enabling cookies and JavaScript, creating folders, copying and pasting, accessing email, email etiquette, and maintaining email accounts.  The well-written tutorials cover what every student should know about computers, not just online students!  The major issue with these chapters is the demonstrated software.  The authors demonstrate Windows XP, Internet Explorer 6, Netscape 7.1, Microsoft Outlook, and Hotmail.   Microsoft and Netscape have since released new versions of their browsers and the authors do not cover the fastest growing browser, Firefox.

Chapter four addresses skills and competencies required to function within the course delivery environment.  The comprehensive skills covered include: accessing the course, using the syllabus, discussion boards, and submitting assignments.  Although the skills covered are essential to success, the authors do not show specific examples in for any of the common delivery environments such as Blackboard, Desire2Learn, or Moodle.  The diversity of vendors and software versions would make addressing even the most popular environments difficult.

Chapters five and six cover learning tasks and problem areas encountered by online students.  These cover a wide range of topics including:  taking notes, group projects, writing skills, coping with stress, getting additional help, and getting along with instructors and classmates.  The skills and ideas covered in these chapters are priceless.  They are excellent resources for all students, not just online students.  These two chapters alone make the book well worth the price.

The handbook concludes with appendices that provide a webliography of Internet sites providing additional tutorials and information, computer skills performance tips, and a detailed glossary of computer and education terms related to face-to-face and online education.

Overall, this is a well written and researched book that provides guidance to online students who are developing essential skills.  I would recommend it as either a text book for a student success course or as supplemental/optional material for any online or blended college course.

Title: Online Student Skills and Strategies Handbook
Authors: Ganey, L. R., Christ, F. L. & Hurt, V. R
Price: $21.80
Publisher: Pearson Longman
Year: 2006
Pages: 224
ISBN-13: 978-0321316844