Online courses and education platforms

Abstract Researching online courses and education platforms is key as course developers confront challenges related to the rapid pace of technological change as well as students’ continually evolving needs and expectations related to learning in online environments. This chapter offers specific examples on how online courses and education platforms have been researched within applied linguistics, including common types of courses or platforms that have been studied, frequently asked research questions, and how studies are conducted. It also explores challenges and ethical considerations for conducting research in these environments, summarizes major findings and implications from past studies, and concludes with possible future research directions.