Abstract
This article reports on a study done to improve interaction among distance learners offering the blended Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programme at Makerere University. The study attempts to answer the question: How can a Learning Management System be used to improve learner interaction on the blended B.Ed. programme at Makerere University? The study adopted the Affordance eLearning Design Framework. This study was done among 54 students studying a Policy Planning and Implementation course on the B.Ed. programme. The study employed qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis. These included semi-structured interviews and observation of the interaction logs within the groups and open forums. The results revealed that LMS affordances coupled with well-structured activities increased interaction among learners. Other factors that accelerated interaction and participation included grading of contributions and regular tutor presence. In conclusion, technology alone cannot bring about interaction among students; the way the activity is structured should be emphasized for interaction.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Anderson, T.: Modes of interaction in distance education: recent developments and research questions. In: Moore, M., Anderson, G. (eds.) Handbook of Distance Education, pp. 129–144. Erlbaum, NJ (2003)
Bower, M.: Affordance analysis–matching learning tasks with learning technologies. Educ. Media Int. 45(1), 3–15 (2008)
Gallimore, R., Tharp, R.: Teaching mind in society: teaching, schooling and literate discourse. In: Moll, L.C. (ed.) Vygotsky and Education: Instructional Implications and Applications of Socio Historical Psychology. Cambridge University Press (2002)
Jonassen, D.H.: Objectivism versus constructivism: do we need a new philosophical paradigm? Educ. Tech. Res. Dev. 39(3), 5–14 (1991)
Knight, J.: Coaching. J. Staff Dev. 30(1), 18–22 (2009)
Mayende, G., Isabwe, G.M.N., Muyinda, P.B., Prinz, A.: Peer assessment based assignment to enhance interactions in online learning groups. Paper Presented at the International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning (ICL), 20–24 September 2015, Florence, Italy (2015)
Mayende, G., Muyinda, P.B., Isabwe, G.M.N., Walimbwa, M., Siminyu, S.N.: Facebook mediated interaction and learning in distance learning at Makerere University. Paper Presented at the 8th International Conference on e-Learning, 15–18 July, Lisbon, Portugal (2014)
Mayende, G., Prinz, A., Isabwe, G.M.N., Muyinda, P.B.: Learning groups for MOOCs: lessons for online learning in higher education. Paper Presented at the 19th International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning (ICL2016), 21–23 September, Clayton Hotel, Belfast, UK (2016)
Moore, M.G.: Theory of transactional distance. Theor. Principles Distance Educ. 1, 22–38 (1993)
Wagner, E.D.: In support of a functional definition of interaction. Am. J. Distance Educ. 8(2), 6–29 (1994)
Acknowledgements
This work has been supported by the DELP project which is funded by NORAD. Special appreciation to the University of Agder and Makerere University, who are in research partnership, for their support.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Nabushawo, H.M., Muyinda, P.B., Isabwe, G.M.N., Prinz, A., Mayende, G. (2018). Improving Online Interaction Among Blended Distance Learners at Makerere University. In: Auer, M., Guralnick, D., Simonics, I. (eds) Teaching and Learning in a Digital World. ICL 2017. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 715. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73210-7_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73210-7_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-73209-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-73210-7
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)