A study was conducted to identify trends and gaps in distance-education areas as addressed in the journal "Quarterly Review of Distance Education" from 2002 to 2017. A directed content analysis methodology was used to classify the articles according to the Zawacki-Richter (2009) validated classification framework of research areas in…

Teaching and learning at a distance is now commonplace, and research, when viewed holistically, clearly demonstrates that learning a distance is generally neither bettor nor worse than learning in other situations. The research also indicates that the application of instructional design procedures is mandatory for effective instruction delivered…

Online education has emerged as an effective and increasingly common alternative to face-to-face instruction in postsecondary education. This article is a summary of effective practices in online instructional methods, including course design, interaction among course participants, and instructor preparation and support.

This study was designed primarily to examine how synchronous communication facilitated graduate students' online collaboration and their perceptions of synchronous communication. Thirty online graduate students were required to use instant messenger (IM) to discuss their group projects and later post their reflections on their collaboration. The…

Discusses virtual learning environments, or online learning communities. Highlights include a conceptual framework; theoretical orientation; characteristics of online learning communities; pedagogical issues in course development, including communication, collaboration, interaction, and participation; technological issues; community building;…

Proposes a three-level framework for classifying elearning (electronic learning) interactions in distance education. Illustrates how the framework may be used to design and sequence electronic learning interactions, analyze planned interactions to reduce the need for costly revisions, and organize research to help interpret findings and guide…

Reports on the design and formative assessment of a synchronous distance education demonstration project designed to bring experts to participants at their work locations through Internet technologies. Following evaluation results, a more robust model was designed to increase interactivity before, during, and after the live-broadcast training…