ONLINE EDUCATION

Online Education: Social Interaction

Abstract

Online learning has become a widespread method for providing education at the graduate and undergraduate level. Although it is an extension of distance learning, the medium requires new modes of presentation and interaction. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the existing literature in communications, distance education, educational technology, and other education-related fields, to articulate what is currently known about online teaching and learning, how the field has been conceptualized in the various research communities, and what might be useful areas for future research.

Table of Content

Abstract2

Introduction4

Discussion and Analysis4

Conclusion5

References7

Online Education: Social Interaction

Introduction

Although there has been extensive work to conceptualize and understand the social interactions and constructs entailed by online education, there has been little work that connects these concepts to subject-specific interactions and learning. That is, the literature provides insights into social aspects of online teaching and learning such as the development of community, the social roles of teachers and students, and the creation of online presence. Experts recommends future research into how these social, personal, and interpersonal aspects relate to subject matter learning, the impact of differences in subject matter, and how students learn online.

Discussion and Analysis

The perspective on teaching, stated simply, is that teaching is an essential element of education for most students. Put another way, most students need the help and mediation of a teacher to make sense of complex subject matter. No matter how well presented or represented, many subjects are difficult to learn on one's own without discussion, feedback, encouragement, or explanation from or with a knowledgeable other (Wolfe, 2009).

Recent views of cognition suggest that learning is also enhanced by engagement in a community in which learners help each other to make sense of information and ideas, with the teacher acting as a mediator to focus ...