Using Video and Web Conferencing Tools to Support Online Learning

Background

Online learning generally involves two types of interaction: interaction with content and interpersonal interaction among the instructor and students (Berge, 1995). Both types of interaction are related to humanizing the online learning environment. Humanizing the course can be accomplished using immediacy behaviors, which reduce the perceived distance between the teacher and the student (Anderson, 1979, Baker 2010).

Social psychologist Albert Mehrabian has been credited with defining the concept of immediacy in terms of his principle of immediacy. Mehrabian shared that people are drawn towards persons or things they like, respect or simply prefer to be involved with (1971). In an effort to support learning in an online environment, it is important to plan for interactions and methods of communication. It is also important to remove any barriers that might prevent students from engaging with the instructor. By conveying warmth and support, immediacy behavior increases the closeness or the appearance of closeness between teacher and student through behaviors such as encouraging communications and student input, the use of humor, self-disclosure, and calling students by name (Baker, 2010).