AUTHOR: CRAIG E. ABRAHAMSON TITLE: ISSUES IN INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATION IN DISTANCE EDUCATION

Increased pressure relating to employment schedules, finances, and family responsibilities, as well as the high-cost of post-secondary education and the limited availability of scholarships, has created an increased need for distance education. Distance learning research has defined certain problematic areas which must be addressed in an effort to enhance the distance learning experience. This paper identifies four major issues relating to interactive communication in distance learning education, specifically, (1) personal contact between the primary instructor and the student; (2) personal contact between the primary instructor and the on-site instructor; (3) personal contact between the on-site instructor and the student; and (4) interactions between the students themselves, and offers specific solutions and recommendations which may be helpful in resolving these issues.

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