Skip to main content
Log in

Interaction and the online distance classroom: Do instructional methods effect the quality of interaction?

  • Published:
Journal of Computing in Higher Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this special issue, I bring together two studies to provide a comprehensive overview on diverse and interactive instructional methods aimed to facilitate higher levels of learning. One study explored the effects of group interaction using different instructional strategies focusing on the learning process using the Community of Inquiry framework. The other study investigated the effects of group interaction using different instructional strategies focusing on learning products using the SOLO taxonomy. The outcomes of both studies were consistent in revealing that certain kinds of instructional strategies have more effective interactions, resulting in facilitating higher levels of learning.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrami, P., Bernard, R., Bures, E., Borokhhovski, E., & Tamim, R. (2011). Interaction in Distance Education and Online Learning: Using Evidence and Theory to Improve Practice, 23(2).

  • Bates, A. W. (1997). The future of educational technology. Learning Quarterly, 1(2), 7–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biggs, J. (1995). Teaching for better learning. In J. Biggs & D. Watkins (Eds.), Classroom learning: Educational psychology for the Asian teachers (pp. 261–279). Singapore: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biggs, J. (1999). Teaching for quality learning at university. Buckingham: SRHE and Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biggs, J., & Collis, K. (1982). Evaluating the quality of learning: The SOLO taxonomy. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collett, D., Kanuka, H., Blanchette, J., & Goodale, C. (1999). Learning technologies in adult distance education. Edmonton, AB: University of Alberta.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrison, D. R., & Anderson, T. (2003). E-Learning in the 21st century: A framework for research and practice. London: Routledge/Falmer.

  • Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2000). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education. The Internet and Higher Education, 2(2–3), 1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2001). Critical thinking, cognitive presence, and computer conferencing in distance education. The American Journal of Distance Education, 15(1), 7–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heckman, R., & Annabi, H. (2005). A content analytic comparison of learning processes in online and face-to-face case study discussions. Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 10(2). Retrieved January 13, 2011, from http://www.jcmc.indiana.edu/vol10/issue2/heckman.html.

  • Juler, P. (1990). Promoting interaction; maintaining independence: Swallowing the mixture. Open Learning, 5, 24–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanuka, H. (2000). Learner content interaction: The silent but active participant. Presentation at the 15 CADE), Making IT Learner Centred, May 2000, Quebec, Canada.

  • Kanuka, H. (2002). Guiding principles for facilitating higher levels of Web-based distance learning in post-secondary settings. Distance Education, 23(1), 163–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanuka, H. (2005). An exploration into facilitating higher levels of learning in a text-based Internet learning environment using diverse instructional strategies. Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 10(3). [online]. Available: http://www.jcmc.indiana.edu/vol10/issue3/kanuka.html.

  • Kanuka, H. (2010a). Cultural Diversity, technologically-mediated learning and instructional design: Implications for choosing and using communication tools. Asia Pacific Collaborative Education Journal, 6(1), 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanuka, H. (2010b). Fostering higher levels of learning using diverse instructional strategies with internet communication tools. In M. S. Khine & I. M. Saleh (Eds.), New science of learning: computers, cognition and collaboration in education. Berlin: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanuka, H., Rourke, L., & Laflamme, E. (2007). The influence of instructional methods on the quality of online discussion. British Journal of Educational Technology, 38(2), 260–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKnight, C. B. (2001). Supporting critical thinking in interactive learning environments. Computers in the Schools, 17(3/4), 17–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, M. G. (1973). Towards a theory of independent learning and teaching. Journal of Higher Education, 44, 661–679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, M. (1989). Three types of interaction. American Journal of Distance Education, 3(2), 1–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, M. (1990). Recent contributions to the theory of distance education. Open Learning, 5(3), 10–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, M. G., & Kearsley, G. (1996). Distance education: A systems view. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramsden, P. (1992). Learning to teach in higher education. London: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Russell, T. L. (2001). The no significant difference phenomenon: A comparative research annotated bibliography on technology for distance education. IDECC, Montgomery, AL.

  • Tenenbaum, G., Naidu, S., Jegede, O., & Austin, J. (2001). Constructivist pedagogy in conventional on-campus and distance learning practice: An exploratory investigation. Learning and Instruction, 11, 87–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Heather Kanuka.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kanuka, H. Interaction and the online distance classroom: Do instructional methods effect the quality of interaction?. J Comput High Educ 23, 143–156 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12528-011-9049-4

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12528-011-9049-4

Keywords

Navigation