Interaction in Distance Education and Online Learning: Using Evidence and Theory to Improve Practice

In a recent analysis of distance and online learning, we quantitatively verified the importance of three types of interaction: among students, between the instructor and students, and between students and course content. We highlight several evidence- based approaches that may be useful in the next generation of distance and online learning. These include principles and applications stemming from the theories of self-regulation and multimedia learning, research-based motivational principles and collaborative learning principles.