Dr. Rena M. Palloff and Dr. Keith Pratt
As authors of Building Online Learning Communities, Palloff and Pratt are two of the foremost authorities on online learning, and highly sought after presenters.

Palloff and Pratt are managing partners in Crossroads Consulting Group. They have also taught online courses at several universities. Since 1994 they have collaboratively conducted pioneering research and training in the emerging areas of electronic group facilitation, face-to-face and electronic community building, distance learning, and management and supervision. 

Dr. Rena M. Palloff teaches online for the Fielding Institute, which offers a master's degree completely online. She has also taught for the John F. Kennedy University, California State University-Hayward, and Ottawa University.

Dr. Keith Pratt has taught online for Ottawa University, where he was Chair of the Management Information Systems Program. He has also taught at Wayland Baptist University and the University of Alaska