Lesson 2

Lesson 2 Transaction Distance & Interaction

Goals

• • Examine two constructs of theoretical framework of distance education: Transactional distance and interaction.

  • Examine the relationships between dialogues and structure

  • Examine four types of interactions

• Emerging Topics:Open Network Learning Environment (ONLE) & Personal Learning Environment (PLE)

Instructor's Notes

Welcome to Lesson 2! In the previous lesson we explored distance education and CMC in general and discussed the important issues in both field. Yes, we have a lot of readings and you may feel overwhelmed by them. It is a normal feeling if you are not accustomed to reading research articles. Do not worry! After the explorations of the previous lesson, you should feel more comfortable reading important literature. I urge you read the readings as early as possible. If you find that certain articles are difficult to understand, you should consider rereading them. The reading assignments are heavy throughout the semester, but in the end you will find that you possess a very solid literature background in distance education. Tips for obtaining comprehensive literature in distance education are to read, think, reflect, and write. If you intend to pursue any distance education research in the future, you will find that you have a very solid theoretical framework to support your research activities. This is a particularly useful activity for doctoral students.

In this lesson, we will discuss first two theoretical constructs of DE, transactional distance and interaction. You should review McIsaac and Gunawardena's chapter again. Transactional distance is a different way to examine distance learning. Transactional distance concerns the dialog and structure that occur in an educational relationship. This distance is not determined by geography but the relationship between dialogue and structure. The transactional distance decreases when there is less structure and more dialogue. An ideal learning environment is developed when dialogue is improved, structure is minimized and transactional distance is decreased. You should read both of Saba's articles to obtain a better idea on the relationships between dialogue and structure.

Interaction? What is interaction? Wagner's article provides a good framework. Although it is optional reading, you are encouraged to read it. Interaction can be separated into four different categories learner-instructor, learner-content, learner-learner, and learner-interface. Do you agree with these four types of interaction? Are there any different interactions that should be added? Although Hillman's article, proposed a learner-interface interaction, reading it is optional, but highly recommended.

Readings (Powered by Del.icio.us. Consider to subscribe RSS to keep updated on reading resources.)

• • Required Readings (Finish the required readings before the lesson starts)

  • Optional Readings (More readings for you to enrich your learning, to prepare for discussions, assignments, projects etc.)

  • Resources (Resources from our classmates, ETC students, and ETC faculty.)

Activities

Lesson Discussions (4 points) Lesson Discussion Guidelines

Assignment

No assignment for this lesson.

For Due Dates: See Assignment Page

Prepare upcoming assignments

• • Assignment 2: Distance Learning Theoretical Framework (Due Lesson 3/4)

  • Assignment 3: Web 2.0 Learning Environments (Due Lesson 7)

  • Assignment 4: Final Paper Proposal (04/13)

  • Assignment 5: Final Paper (05/18)(See Lesson 7 for the instructions)