Getting ready to teach for the first time? Are you wondering what some of the most important instructor’s take-on’s are for you to successfully integrate technology to enhance your students learning? First, let’s define the Transactional Distance Theory and why this theory is important to you, the instructor.
Transactional Distance Theory Overview: (Chida, 2021)
· Introduced
by Dr. Michael G. Moore in the 70’s
· Pedagogical
theory on distance education
· Focus
is more on the psychological separation between teacher and student rather
than a physical separation
· Transactional
distance = this is the gap between the teacher and students understanding
· Transactional
distance is bridged by:
o
Dialogue between teacher and student
§ More dialogue
between teacher/student = less transactional distance
o
Structure of educational system
§ The higher
the structure of the program = higher the transactional distance
· Transactional distance is relative rather than absolute
Why is all of this theory stuff important? Well let’s take
a closer look:
(image source: https//unsplash.com/s/photos/magnifying-glass)Communication is a powerful tool that can either destroy
or enhance our relationships (Young Entrepreneurs Forum, 2020). Communication
between instructors and students is no different. Effective communication provides
clarification, which I would say would also increase student understanding of
the material. Communication also gives meaning to what was communicated. Both
are enhancements to learning, not to be overlooked.
Bridging this transactional distance is mutual responsibility
between instructor and student, in that both parties need to increase their
dialogue to close the gap.
Ways to increase the dialogue and connect on a deeper level
can include: (Practical Psychology, 2018)
· Progressive
questioning - open ended questions
· Effective
non-verbal communication – body language, tone
· Give feedback
– constructive feedback/criticism
· Receive
feedback – non emotional or defensively
· Mirror
energy – meet the person were they are and go from there
Being prepared is just as important for instructors as it
is for students. Professors that are prepared and organize the course content
and learning objectives are far more credible and valuable as leaders in learning.
Ways to be prepared as a teacher: (Wanamaker, 2013)
· Know the
course material
· Know your
students /audience
· Know materials
and equipment you will use
· Organize
your resources and materials
· Establish
good record keeping
· Organize
class time and office hours
· Utilize
daily class plans or agenda
What do you think? Is organization and effective
communication two qualities you would like to see in your instructors? If not,
which qualities do you prefer? Please share
your comments below.
References:
Chida, K. [DE Guy]. (2021, April 23). Transactional Distance Theory Overview [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPCJYs3XYto
Heuer, B.P., & King, K.P. (2004). Leading the band: The role of the instructor in online learning for educators. The Journal of Interactive Online Learning, 3(1), 6. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kathleen-King-4/publication/253383750_Leading_the_Band_The_Role_of_the_Instructor_in_Online_Learning_for_Educators/links/56be7da108aee5caccf30adc/Leading-the-Band-The-Role-of-the-Instructor-in-Online-Learning-for-Educators.pdf
[Practical Psychology]. (2018, October 31). 5 Conversation and communication tips with exercises. [Video}. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_eG1md3YuY
[Young Entrepreneurs Forum]. (2020, November 9). Effective communication – How to build communication skills [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzTXTRo9L4
Wanamaker, P. [Milady]. (2013, July 22). Teacher Preparedness [Video].
YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQXpXI6kdLo
Hey there!
ReplyDeleteI agree profoundly that communication is vital for instructors to successfully integrate technology into courses! Effective communication would also go a long way in regard to adding a personal touch like we read about in the study guide this week. When instructors are clear communicators and the course is clearly organized, to your other point, it's easy to trust that they've made wise decisions in relation to leveraging technology. Overall, it makes instructors more reliable when you feel confident that you can easily glean necessary information and easily maneuver the course itself. With technology integration being so vulnerable for many adult learners, this level of trust is vital.
I feel like personal touch adds a great deal to the instructors authenticity or perception that the instructor is dealing with students in an open and honest way (Brookfield, 2015, p 43). I appreciate when I can see the human person behind the course content and view them as not only our class leader but a seasoned veteran we can go to for support. Reliability is another consideration as you mention. When an instructor is clear on what technology they will use and how they will implement it, all the greater is that reliability and trust factor.
DeleteBrookfield, S.D. (2015). The skillful teacher: On technique, trust, and responsiveness in the
classroom, (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
I love that you have bulleted out the important ideas behind transactional distance theory in the overview. It has really helped look at the material in segments and better digest it. In fact, it further solidified my view point that online instruction can be just as effective as in-person instruction if two conditions exist.
ReplyDeleteIf the education and content is delivered correctly, as you mentioned, the instructor is active in the learning AND if the learner is a willing and motivated participant. There is a ton of research and literature supporting this, and as you shared Heuer and King (2004), instructor roles are key, but students must also take part in the instruction.
To answer your question, I think you could sum up organization and communication as the two most valued qualities in an instructor. Here is why, if an instructor cares enough about the students, the content of what they are teaching, and the delivery method, they are going to focus on being as organized as possible and will communicate with students the goals, objectives and content and will make sure that the students have access to learning, through that organization and the teacher themselves.
Thanks for this great summary and overview so neatly organized!
Reference:
Heuer, B.P., & King, K.P. (2004). Leading the band: The role of the instructor in online learning for educators. The Journal of Interactive Online Learning, 3(1), 6.
Thank you! I love to bullet point and make lists! It really helps me to see the simplified version and main points in an easy-to-read visual way. I’m hoping that my lists and bullets will be an organizational aspect that carries to my ‘someday’ teaching! I agree that when instructors who care, their ethic shows in their course preparation, delivery and interactions with students. Yes, we the students do carry our part as well. The interactive relationship between teacher and student carries mutual participation, and of course willingness! I remember having a student some years back when I was and instructor for a vocational school teaching massage therapy. I had a student who was in the program and she was not thrilled to be there. That aspect alone made for a difficult and uncomfortable situation and really minimized our interactions. She was so set against being somewhere else. It was a good learning experience for me to learn a bit about student resistance to learning.
DeleteWow! I enjoyed the layout of your blog so much! You treated your blog like you were actually laying out a lesson for us and it was so easy to understand! This is why blogs are so much different than discussion posts. Blogs can help create self-directed learners by personally empower students to set their own goals and standards (Grow, 1991). You were able to choose how to communicate the information and I think you chose wisely! To answer your question, yes, I think that communication is extremely important, especially when a class is completely online. In my experience, my professors have done a really great job of having open communication. They respond to emails promptly and usually have a Q and A discussion board for questions that benefit the entire group. As an instructor, I will want to make sure that I am accessible to my students in these ways!
ReplyDeleteReference
Grow, G. (1991). Teaching learners to be self-directed. Adult Education Quarterly, 41(3), 125-149. doi10.1177/0001848191041003001.
Thank you! I really like the simplicity of lists, and bullet points and such. I feel like it cuts out all the extra “wording” without taking away from pertinent information. I also feel like the live classroom has more on-the-spot type of response type of expectation. Most online environments are asynchronous with not a lot of immediacy of communication that’s possible in the classroom (Brookfield, 2015, p 171). That said when we write our blog posts, we can have some “lag” time to think things over, find some supporting evidence and then respond. That is one thing about online learning I do like at times. In the in-person class, I often feel put on the spot and like I have to sort through all the extra wording to then make a response that sounds at least like I understand- when in fact I may still be processing the new information and not quite ready for a response. That pressure is sometimes hard to manage. Communication in person class or online, really is the foundation to success for everyone involved. I like your plan to be accessible to students, super important for the teaching/learning process as well s for effectively communicating as well!
DeleteBrookfield, S.D. (2015). The skillful teacher: On technique, trust, and responsiveness in
the classroom, (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.