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This chapter provides a description of five models for professional development (PD) for online instruction and analyzes each model according to domains of effective online instruction (i.e., faculty stance, student self-regulation, faculty support, authentic practice, engagement, community development, and cognitive demand). Additionally, a decision model is provided for K-12 and university administrators, teacher educators, and policymakers to guide strategic decision making in the determination of a model for PD best suited to the needs and resources of their institution.

Examined in this 3D Virtual World case study was undergraduate student engagement on a learning task and student creation of knowledge. After creating a 3D didactic constructivist virtual world, student conversations were recorded for analysis using Hara, Bonk, and Angeli's (2000) engagement framework and Nonaka and Takeuchi's (1995) knowledge creation theory. The five forms of student engagement augmented the learning process and a complete knowledge spiral was documented, emphasizing the use of the four modes of knowledge conversion. Though limited in time and scope, results further suggest that a highly engaged community of learners was created.

This chapter provides a description of four models for professional development for online instruction and analyzes each model according to clearly defined domains of effective online instruction including faculty stance, student self-regulation, faculty support, authentic practice, engagement, community development, and cognitive demand. Subsequent to model analysis, a decision model is provided for K-12 and university administrators, teacher educators, and policymakers to guide strategic decision-making in the determination of a model for professional development best suited to the needs and resources of their institution.