Chapter 1 Background of the Study An Overview of Distance Education Distance Education Defined Progression of Distance Education Theoretical Foundations of Distance Education Theories of Autonomy and Independence Theory of Industrialization of Teaching Theories of Interaction and Communication Transactional Distance Theory Summary Chapter 2 Variables Facilitating Interaction in Online Learning Emergent Issues Research Questions Null Hypotheses Delimitations and Limitations of the Study Definition of Terms Summary Chapter 3 Interaction in Online Learning Interaction Concept Rationale behind Interaction Forms of Interaction Relationship Research on Interaction Factors Affecting Interaction Interaction Design Interaction Patterns Interaction Quality Summary Chapter 4 Research on Variables Facilitating Interaction in Online Learning Socialization Vygotsky' s Social Interaction Perspectives Research on Socialization Community Community and Social Presence Community and Collaborative Learning Virtual Learning Communities Research on Community Motivation Research on Motivation Roles of Instructors and Learners Role Research on Instructor Role Research on Learner Role Learner Demographics Research on Gender Summary Chapter 5 Research Design Operational Definition of the Variables Survey Research Population Defined Sampling Plan Sampling Method Sample Size Instrumentation Development of the Questionnaire …… Chapter 6Results Chpater 7 Conclusions and Recommendations References Appendices Index
