This book provides information for online educators working with students in higher education and training settings. It offers an overview of the key issues of learning online and a guide to working with online students. There are 11 chapters in two parts. Part 1, "A Profile of the Virtual Students," includes: (1) "Who is the Virtual Student?"; (2) "The Student Side of Online Learning Communities; (3) "Learning Styles"; (4) "Gender, Culture, Lifestyle, and Geography"; and (5) "What the Virtual Student Needs." Part 2, "A Guide to Working with the Virtual Student: Issues, Concerns, and Strategies," includes (6) "Designing a Good Student Orientation"; (7) "Time and Commitment"; (8) "Assessment and Evaluation"; (9) "Legal Issues and the Virtual Student"; (10) "Attrition, Retention, and Group Size"; and (11) "Becoming Truly Learner-Focused: Best Practices in Online Teaching." A final section offers faculty and student resources. (Contains 82 references, 12 tables, 12 exhibits, and 3 figures.) (SM)