Theory | Distance-Educator.com

Archive for the ‘Theory’ Category

Using connectivism theory and technology for knowledge creation in cross-cultural communication

This study examined the significance of connectivism theory and technology for knowledge creation in cross-cultural communication. The findings rely on the exercise designed and conducted by the facilitators of two different institutions/universities based in two different countries. This exercise was conducted for two intercultural management classes in New Delhi, India and Graz, Austria. This article […]

Moving Towards Sustainable Policy and Practice – A Five Level Framework for Online Learning Sustainability

This paper addresses the issue of sustainability in online learning in higher education. It introduces and discusses a five-level framework for helping higher education institutions to make the transition from enterprise to sustainable policy and practice in online learning. In particular, it responds to evidence in the literature regarding the lack of sustainability in online […]

Complexity: A Leader’s Framework for Understanding and Managing Change in Higher Education

Complex adaptive systems offer higher education leaders a framework for understanding dramatic systemic change as well as approaches to engaging, managing, and driving change. EDUCAUSE Review

Interview with a Learning Scientist: Bob Ubell of NYU

Bob Ubell is Vice Dean Emeritus at the NYU School of Engineering, and Dr. Robert Feldman is Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst – and he is also the Chair of the McGraw-Hill Learning Science Advisory Board. The conversation between Bob and Robert ranges from benefits and criticisms of […]

Promoting Critical Reading using Google Tools – a Community of Inquiry Approach

Creating a community of learning can enhance critical reading in a classroom environment. Task design plays a critical role in the effectiveness of this process. This paper presents a case study of a face-to-face literature course that used a host of Google tools to create such a community. The Community of Inquiry (CoI) principles of […]

Effect of Communication Management on Distance Learners’ Cognitive Engagement in Malaysian Institutions of Higher Learning

Rapid development of communication tools has brought about contentious issues in communication management in distance learning (DL) programs. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between communication management indicators, namely, communication practices, communication tools, and students’ cognitive engagement in distance learning programs. A conceptual framework for communication management was developed from Moore’s […]

Influence of Learning Design of the Formation of Online Communities of Learning

This paper presents the findings of a study on a fully online Bachelor’s level course in Health Sciences at a European University conducted to explore the influence of learning design on the formation and evolution of different types of communities of learning. The impetus for the study came from the well-established effectiveness of community-based learning, […]

What Motivates Students in the Online Communication Classroom? An Exploration of Self-Determination Theory

The purpose of this study was to examine instructional strategies used to motivate students to engage in online communication courses. Eighteen undergraduate students, seven graduate students, and ten faculty members were interviewed individually or in small focus groups. Results indicate the significance of instructional strategies that promote autonomy, perceived competence, and relatedness in motivating students. […]

Technology Matters – The Impact of Transactional Distance on Satisfaction in Online Distance Learning

Transactional distance (TD), the perception of psychological distance between the student and his peers, his instructor/teacher, and the learning content, has long been a prominent construct in research on distance education. Today, distance education primarily takes place over the internet, with technology mediating engagement and communication. Because transactional distance in online distance learning will always […]

Online Course Design and Development among College and University Instructors: An Analysis using Grounded Theory

In this study, a grounded theory approach was used to investigate the process college and university instructors undergo to design and develop online courses. Fourteen instructors who created online courses for four-year colleges and universities were interviewed about their experience designing and developing online courses. Results showed that participants begin the process with objectives and/or […]

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