Distance Learning Students’ Need:
Evaluating Interactions From Moore’s Theory Of Transactional Distance

Authors : Rusmanizah USTATI, Sharifah Sariah Syed HASSAN

Pages : 292-304

View : 8 | Download : 4

Publication Date : 2013-06-01

Article Type : Other Papers

Abstract :This study draws on the experience from a focus group interviews under the distance learning programme known as Program Pensiswazahan Guru insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PPG); organized by the Malaysian Ministry of Education in collaboration with local universities and institutes of education. Its purpose is to uncover students’ perception about the platform used by International Islamic University Malaysia insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(IIUM); which is the Learning Management System insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(LMS);. LMS is a vital instructional medium especially for the varsity distant learners. Michael Moore’s Theory of Transactional Distance is used as the guiding framework to gain insights on learning and interactions in this e-learning setting. Teacher-student interactions are analyzed for better understanding of the phenomena under study. The findings indicate that in terms of usability LMS is perceived as a good platform to acquire information on content and to receive feedback from instructors. However, IIUM learners hope for more interactivity where learners can communicate amongst themselves beside engaging with the instructor-learner- content interactions that they currently experience via the system. This study aspires to provide insights on the significance of interactions from distance learners’ perception.
Keywords : Distance Learning, Theory of Transactional Distance, Student Teacher Interaction, E Learning