Guidelines towards the facilitation of interactive online learning programmes in higher education

Authors

  • Lydia Mbati University of South Africa
  • Ansie Minnaar University of South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v16i2.2019

Keywords:

Interactive online learning, constructivism, observational learning

Abstract

The creation of online platforms that establish new learning environments has led to the proliferation of institutions offering online learning programmes. However, the use of technologies for teaching and learning requires sound content specialization, as well as grounding in pedagogy. While gains made by constructivism and observational learning are well documented, research addressing online practices that best encourage constructivist and observational learning in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) contexts is limited.

Using a phenomenological methodological approach, this research explored the lived experiences of online learning programme facilitators at an Open and Distance Learning higher education institution. The findings of this research study revealed that facilitators did not use constructivist and observational learning pedagogies to a large extent in their interaction with students. It is concluded that during the curriculum planning phase, facilitators should decide on methods and media to arouse the students’ attention and stimulating constructivist and observational learning amongst students during online courses. This also implies a more reasonable facilitator-student ratio because large numbers of students per facilitator proves not feasible in online learning. The paper concludes by providing guidelines for the facilitation of interactive online learning programmes.

Author Biographies

Lydia Mbati, University of South Africa

INSTITUTE FOR OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING

Ansie Minnaar, University of South Africa

Professor Ansie Minnaar is Research Fellow at the College of Education, University of South Africa. With more than 25 years of experience in higher education and research supervision, she is responsible for the postgraduate research programmes in ODeL. Her research interests include student support, technological innovations in learning, metacognition, research mentoring and supervision of postgraduate students. She authored peer reviewed and accredited articles related to the management of health services, ODL and online learning. Her current research projects are among others issues regarding Support for online learning students and planning for ODeL facilities at higher educational institutions.

Additional Files

Published

2015-04-15

How to Cite

Mbati, L., & Minnaar, A. (2015). Guidelines towards the facilitation of interactive online learning programmes in higher education. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v16i2.2019

Issue

Section

Research Articles