Instructional Interactivity in a Web-Based Learning Community

Abstract

It is demonstrated in this chapter that enhanced interactivity is the single most important reason why teachers should practise web-based teaching and why students should be encouraged to construct web-based learning communities. The notion of conversational learning community (CLC) as a kind of constructivist learning environment is introduced. It is shown that instructional interactivity, defined as active communication in a conversational learning community between instructor(s), learners, course materials, and links to remote experts and resources, is a central aspect of the learning situation. A practical implementation of the CLC model is presented through describing the interactive features of a web-based course using WebCT. It is concluded that web-based learning and teaching actually enhances interactivity both within and beyond the classroom setting.