ERIC Number: EJ850357
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1324-0781
EISSN: N/A
Some Strategies for Balancing Economies of Scale and Interaction in Online/Distance Education Courses
Walls, Celeste M.
E-Journal of Instructional Science and Technology, v8 n1 2005
After reviewing the literature on interaction in distance education/online learning contexts, I offer some suggestions for balancing students' and teachers' needs for greater interaction with the economies of scale often achieved in such learning contexts. Specifically, I suggest that instructors' use of threaded online discussions and student small learning groups will maximize interaction while also enhancing learning. Additionally, I recommend that instructors incorporate individual student learning styles into the instructional design of their online/distance education courses. I conclude by discussing the ways that these three strategies are particularly useful when teaching business-related courses.
Descriptors: Instructional Design, Distance Education, Online Courses, Educational Technology, Barriers, Literature Reviews, Guidelines, Teacher Student Relationship, Learning Strategies, Group Activities, Group Discussion, Cognitive Style, Business Administration Education, Computer Mediated Communication, Internet, Electronic Learning, Technology Integration, Web Based Instruction, College Instruction
University of Southern Queensland. Division of Academic Information Services, Toowoomba Qld 4350, Australia. Tel: +61-7-4631-2100; Fax: +61-7-4631-2893; Web site: http://www.usq.edu.au/e-jist
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A