Online Learners and the Impacts of Interaction, Styles, and Content

Online education offers people the opportunity to begin or continue their education. The option to undertake studies has also expanded dramatically due to increasing numbers of online programs. One of the strengths of online learning is the ability to provide a rich learning experience where students have the opportunity to interact using technology. Although a general profile of students in online courses has been developed, very little of the research is comprehensive enough to create an understanding of the experience of individual online learners. This book looks at a number of specific questions: What types of online interactions are students having? Are there particular learner types that are more successful in the online learning environment? Is there specific course content that is used more often than others in online learning? What factors influence student satisfaction in online learning? The book offers a number of practical examples that can be easily integrated by those delivering, teaching, and studying in online programs to increase their understanding and make online education more effective.

Autorentext

Dr. Jay Wilson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. His research interests centre on technology skill development in educators, authentic leaning experiences and the social impacts of technology.