CALL FOR CASES
Proposal Submission Deadline: October 15, 2008
Notification of Proposal Acceptance: October 20, 2008

Cases on Successful E-Learning Practices in the Developed and Developing World: Methods for the Global Information Economy.
A book edited by Bolanle A. Olaniran, Texas Tech University, USA

Introduction
E-Learning has become a significant aspect of training and education in the global and information economy as an attempt to create and facilitate competent global work force. We all either work in an institution of higher learning or organizations instituting e-learning to disseminate learning contents and modules for training students and learners. Therefore, a critical aspect of global economy is e-learning, in which we are either contributors or consumers. Within this process, effective communication and content delivery is essential to the success of e-learning. However, one area that is crucial to such effectiveness is attention to culture. Some teachers or consumers of e-learning found out the hard way that inattention to this issue creates pitfalls, while others simply ignore the idea altogether. Therefore, e-learning requires continual evaluation and updating in a way that emphasizes the goals of the organizations and users.

The Overall Objective of the Book
In the fields of E-Learning, Information systems and Knowledge management, there exists a need for an edited collection of articles and especially case studies. Case studies can point to assessment of e-learning in terms of practical guide and points of good practices, while addressing potential pitfalls to avoid. Therefore, organizations, practitioners, and individuals alike, need to be aware of what constitutes good and effective e-learning practices and how to design them for specific contexts and audiences in the global information economy. At the same time, it would help to address issues of maintaining open access to e-learning architecture platforms in less economically developed countries where computer access is sporadic at best, but mobile device penetration is in the uptrend. Also, the idea of open access while maintaining or not sacrificing privacy and security is a must. Few of us, however, understand all of these nuances of the e-learning and the related communication factors that affect it. However, such an understanding is required for individuals and organizations to better invoke or implement successful e-learning in the global information age and economy. For this reason, collections of case studies in e-learning can reveal communication practices that can significantly benefit learners and vendors in the in the information and global economy.

The Target Audience
Professionals and researchers working in the field of information and knowledge management for E-Learning in various disciplines and organizations, including library, communication, social sciences, engineering, management, education, Library, sociology, economics, and information technology. At the same time the book will provide insights and support practitioners and executives concerned with the management of knowledge, information, and organizational development in different types of work environments and learning communities.

Recommended topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

Culture, organizational culture, and society culture
Socio-technical challenges
Other challenges
Practical guides
Implications of e-learning in developed and developing worlds
Mobile devices and e-learning
Security and privacy issues
Digital divide
Bridging e-learning divide
Learning styles
Cognitive learning
Transformative effects and transformative learning
Social networking and learning
E-learning and mobile devices
Decision processes in e-learning
Communication and interactions in e-learning
Learners and organization concerns

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE
Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on or before October 15, 2008, a 2-3 page manuscript proposal clearly explaining the mission and concerns of the proposed case. Authors of accepted proposals will be notified by October 20, 2008 about the status of their proposals and sent case organizational guidelines. Full cases are expected to be submitted by December 1, 2008. All submitted cases will be reviewed on a double –blind review basis. This book is scheduled to be published by IGI Global (Formerly Idea Group Inc.), publisher of the “Information Science Reference” (Formerly Idea Group Reference) and “Medical Information Science Reference” imprints. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit www.igi-global.com.

Inquiries and submissions can be forwarded electronically (Word document) or by mail to:
Dr. Bolanle A. Olaniran,
Department of Communication Studies
Texas Tech University, P. O. Box 43083, Lubbock, TX 79409-3083, USA
Phone: 806-742-3978 Fax: 806-742-1025 email: B.Olaniran@ttu.edu