Online Interaction

Abdullah AlruhaimiDecember 2008

Five Generation of Distance Education

1. Correspondence Study (1878)2. Broadcasting (1921)3. Open universities (1964)4. Teleconferencing (1965)5. Internet-Based virtual classes

(1992)

Definition of Online Interaction•Wagner defined interaction in distance learning as an interplay and exchange in which individuals and groups influence each other.•Moore defined interaction in distance learning as “two way communication among two or more persons for purposes of explaining and challenging perspectives”

Methods in Distance Learning are Divided into Two Types.

Synchronous Asynchronous

Video conference E-mail and board discussion

Telephone CD and DVD

chatting Static web pages

Audio-conference Fax

Web-conference Textbooks and handouts

Online InteractionMost of the studies show that high levels

of interaction generate high quality of learning and high levels of satisfaction.

In 1980, Moore developed the theory of Transactional Distance.

Moore stated three forms of interaction in distance learning:

Moore’s forms of interaction

Instructor-Learner Interaction Student-Student Interaction Student-Content Interaction

Anderson and Garrison (1998) added three more forms of interaction in distance learning

Teacher-Content Interaction

Teacher-Teacher Interaction

The Content-Content Interaction

I added eight form of interaction in distance learning

Student-Content-Instructor Interaction Facilitator-student Interaction Facilitators-Content Interaction Facilitator-Teacher Interaction Facilitator-Facilitator Interaction Students-Teacher- Facilitator Interaction Facilitator-Content-Teacher Interaction Facilitator-Content-Teacher-Student Interaction

Moore and Kearsley (2005) said that interaction is developed and utilized in distance education course instruction is dependent upon factors such as the instructor’s philosophy of instruction.

Multiple Intelligences Theory

Gardner believed that we should not use the same methods and strategies for teaching and assessing all students.

Zone of Proximal Development

Vygotsky ZPD

Learner’s Current Ability

“Through others, we become ourselves.”

“What children can do with the assistance of others might be in some sense even more indicative of their mental development than what they can do alone.”

Internet tools

Mastering internet tools will help the instructor to increase the level of interactions.

In conclusion

We cannot use the traditional theories in online learning without using internet tools and technologies. On the other hand, we cannot use internet tools and technologies in online learning without educational theories.But we have to integrate between the educational theories and the internet tools and technologies to achieve high level of interaction.