There are many books out there on elearning, higher education teaching, web usability, accessibility (and all the other things I'm interested in). Though the list below is by no means comprehensive, it will provide you with a good starting point for your office library. I will add to this list as and when I come across more useful books and update my comments as technology and approaches change. So, if you are a learning technologist, VLE support or web developer, these books are recommended:
Elearning / Higher Education
Learning in Groups
Learning in Groups: A Handbook for Face-to-face and Online Environments
by David Jaques and Gilly Salmon, 2006. As learning technologists, we are often asked to solve learning problems to do with either small or large group work. This book is a good introduction to the various teaching theories relating to groups and the interplay between face-to-face (traditional) methods and online methods. Most of the online material draws on Salmon's previous publications, however this book is a good tie together of the theory that lecturers will already be familiar with and the theories relating to technology-enhanced learning.
The Lecturer's Toolkit
The Lecturers Toolkit
by Phil Race, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-0415403825. This book is a great handbook for higher education tutors and academic support alike. Race challenges some of the traditional teaching methods and provides plenty of case studies and scenarios to consider.
Teaching Information Literacy for Inquiry-based Learning
Teaching Information Literacy for Inquiry-Based Learning: A Guide to Teaching and Learning E-literacy (Chandos Information Professional)
by Mark Hepworth and Geoff Walton, 2009. ISBN-13: 978-1843344414. Although a costly book, you can appreciate the time and research that has gone into it. Written in an academic style, as opposed to a handbook, this publication pulls together various teaching and learning theories in the context of academic literacy. As such, it is a very worthwhile book for library staff, academic support and skills tutors. I was lucky enough to borrow a Library copy, but would have preferred to keep hold of it for a longer period and really get to grips with the content.
E-learning in the 21st Century
E-Learning in the 21st Century: A Framework for Research and Practice
by D Randy Garrison, 2010. ISBN-13: 978-0415885836. This is the updated release of the 2003 book, which I may add my former manager had a copy of on her bookshelf. It's not a how-to or packed with case studies, but looks at understanding the impact of technology and approaches to it. An academic read.
Usability
Don't Make Me Think
Don't Make Me Think!: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
by Steve Krug, 2005. ISBN-13: 978-0321344755. I have it, I've read it (mainly over lunch-breaks) and I agree with pretty much everything inside it. If ever there was a book to prepare the lowly usability champion for taking on the decision-makers, this would be it. It's not going to be a thorough academic analysis of usability, and neither is it going to train you in everything to improve your site. However this book will support any pre-existing assertions you have if you are a usability champion in that yes, you are doing the right thing. If you don't know what usability is, or believe that making a site look pretty is the most important thing, then this book would be a good introduction for you to enter the real world. One thing to watch out for is the slightly overly-metaphorical language, but you learn to overlook it and interpret it after a chapter or two.
Designing Web Usability
Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity
by Jakob Nielsen, 2000. ISBN-13: 978-1562058104. This book is way past is use-by date. It is still highly regarded as one of the first major reviews and 'bibles' of web usability. However, though a lot of the theory is still relevant to the modern web developer, it's hard to weed it out from the out of date predictions and assumptions. This book is still good in terms of a historical perspective, but the entire web community is waiting for a new edition. In the mean time, go to Nielsen's website: useit.com and read the alert box. Nielsen has co-authored two futher books: Prioritizing Web Usability
(2006) and Eyetracking Web Usability (Voices That Matter)
(2009).
Web development
The Web Designer's Idea Book
The Web Designer's Idea Book, Volume 2: More of the Best Themes, Trends and Styles in Website Design
by Patrick McNeil, 2010. ISBN-13: 978-1600619724. The problem with design books is that they date quickly, which is why I still subscribe to .NET magazine and enjoy flicking through the latest gallery of sites. Though I haven't yet purchased this book, taking a 'look inside' shows how design elements have been drawn out and highlighted in terms of usability and aesthetics. These elements can then of course be used by web developers in their own sites, and improved upon. I'm looking forward to getting this book soon.
The Design of Sites
The Design of Sites: Patterns for Creating Winning Websites
by Douglas K van Duyne, James A Landay and JAson I Hong, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-0131345553. An old book now in terms of design, using screenshots from a couple of years prior, however having borrowed a copy from the University Library, I wish I had bought it. It really is a comprehensive encyclopeadia-cum-bible of fundamental design principles and worthy of a place on the bookshelf.
Disclaimer: I link through to Amazon.co.uk, if you decide to buy a book linked here I get a few pennies which is then used to fund this site. However, this bears no prejudice on the books listed here. I'll quite happily link a free book as well as one costing an arm and a leg, if they're worthwhile. Anyway, if you don't like Amazon, I've provided the ISBN-13 which you can use on any other book site or in bookshops.
