ERIC Number: EJ888501
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1544-0389
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Available Date: N/A
Fostering Students' Participation in Online Environments: Focus on Interaction, Communication and Problem Solving
Zacharis, Nick Z.
Journal of College Teaching & Learning, v6 n2 p25-34 Mar-Apr 2009
Rapid technological advances in the areas of telecommunications, computer technology and the Internet have made available to tutors and learners in the domain of online learning, a broad array of tools that provide the possibility to facilitate and enhance learning to higher levels of critical reflective thinking. Computer mediated communication tools such as email, threaded discussion lists, chat rooms, voice over IP, and whiteboards, can enhance online interaction and the development of critical thinking skills, giving learners a real chance to make their learning experience as close to a face-to-face situation. For this to happen, instructors have to adopt teaching strategies that create a successful student-centred learning environment in which students feel motivated and comfortable to participate and construct knowledge and meaning. This paper discusses the learning opportunities the online environment provides and the pedagogical changes that entails for quality learning, and focuses on instructional practices that fostering students' participation through appropriately designed interaction, effective communication and problem solving activities.
Descriptors: Electronic Learning, Computer Mediated Communication, Online Courses, Problem Solving, Interaction, Learning Experience, Teaching Methods, Educational Opportunities, Educational Environment, Aptitude Treatment Interaction, Student Participation, Learner Engagement, Design Preferences, Instructional Design, Interpersonal Communication
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
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