Examining the Transactional Distance Theory in a Web-Enhanced Biology Course

The current article explores Moore’s theory of transactional distance in a web-enhanced introductory biology course. A questionnaire containing open-ended questions that focused on components of the transactional distance theory was utilized to examine college students’ perceptions of virtual laboratories in an introductory biology course. Virtual laboratories are computer-based simulations designed to inculcate specific scientific concepts and experimental procedures. Virtual laboratories are effective instructional tools in both online and traditional STEM courses. Previous research has suggested that reduction of transactional distance in the online and traditional classroom may positively influence retention rates and student learning outcomes. The qualitative findings in this study will further inform academic intervention strategies to enhance virtual laboratory instructional approaches in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) college courses.

[1]  Claire de la Varre,et al.  Enhancing online distance education in small rural US schools: A hybrid, learner-centred model , 2010 .

[2]  I. E. Allen,et al.  Class Differences Online Education in the United States, 2010 , 2010 .

[3]  Y. Shih,et al.  The Development of Online Learning Styles Inventory: An Exploratory Study , 2010 .

[4]  Joanne B. Sheridan,et al.  Assessment Of Student Performance And Attitudes For Courses Taught Online Versus Onsite , 2011 .

[5]  H. Bernard,et al.  Techniques to Identify Themes , 2003 .

[6]  Lisa Kirtman.  Online Versus In-Class Courses: An Examination of Differences in Learning Outcomes , 2009 .

[7]  Phyllis Jones,et al.  Virtual Spaces: Employing a Synchronous Online Classroom to Facilitate Student Engagement in Online Learning , 2009 .

[8]  Marthann Schulte.  Faculty Perceptions of Technology Distance Education Transactions: Qualitative Outcomes to Inform Teaching Practices , 2010, TCC 2010.

[9]  Mark Bullen,et al.  What’s the Difference: A Review of Contemporary Research on the Effectiveness of Distance Learning in Higher Education by Ronald Phipps and Jamie Merisotis , 1999 .

[10]  Sushita Gokool-Ramdoo,et al.  Beyond the Theoretical Impasse: Extending the applications of Transactional Distance Education Theory , 2008 .

[11]  Daniel C. A. Hillman,et al.  Learner-Interface Interaction in Distance Education: An Extension of Contemporary Models and Strategies for Practitioners , 1994 .

[12]  J. Arbaugh.  Virtual Classroom Characteristics and Student Satisfaction with Internet-Based MBA Courses , 2000 .

[13]  Tae-Jun Cho.  The Impact of Types of Interaction on Student Satisfaction in Online Courses , 2009 .

[14]  Shanna Smith Jaggars,et al.  Effectiveness of Fully Online Courses for College Students: Response to a Department of Education Meta-Analysis , 2010 .

[15]  D. Keegan.  Theoretical Principles of Distance Education. , 1994 .

[16]  M. Nichols,et al.  Student perceptions of support services and the influence of targeted interventions on retention in distance education , 2010 .

[17]  Eva Mary Bures,et al.  Interaction in distance education and online learning: using evidence and theory to improve practice , 2011, J. Comput. High. Educ..

[18]  Pam Northrup,et al.  A Framework for Designing Interactivity into Web-based Instruction. , 2001 .

[19]  Richard Shingles,et al.  Virtual Lab Demonstrations Improve Students’ Mastery of Basic Biology Laboratory Techniques , 2009, Journal of microbiology & biology education.

[20]  Sushita Gokool-Ramdoo,et al.  Beyond the Theoretical Impasse: Extending the applications of Transactional Distance Theory , 2008 .

[21]  Kevin Kruger.  Using Information Technology To Create Communities of Learners. , 2000 .

[22]  Wallace E. Boston,et al.  Comprehensive Assessment of Student Retention in Online Learning Environments , 2011 .

[23]  M. Moore.  The Theory of Transactional Distance , 2012, Handbook of Distance Education.

[24]  Angelene Carol Mclaren,et al.  The Effects of Instructor-Learner Interactions on Learner Satisfaction in Online Masters Courses. , 2010 .

[25]  Barney Dalgarno,et al.  Effectiveness of a Virtual Laboratory as a preparatory resource for Distance Education chemistry students , 2009, Comput. Educ..

[26]  D. Keegan,et al.  Three Types of Interaction , 2013 .

[27]  David Weisman,et al.  Incorporating a collaborative web‐based virtual laboratory in an undergraduate bioinformatics course , 2010, Biochemistry and molecular biology education : a bimonthly publication of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

[28]  Andra K. Goldberg.  Exploring Instructional Design Issues with Web-Enhanced Courses: What Do Faculty Need in Order to Present Materials On-Line and What Should They Consider When Doing So? , 2005 .