Media of Interaction and Transactional Distance in Synchronous Hybrid Learning Environments

• In Event: Roundtable Session 31
  In Roundtable Session: Design Issues in Virtual Learning Environments

Abstract

This paper presents an exploratory study of the impact of two types of interactive media – traditional videoconferencing technologies (Zoom in our case) and telepresence robots (Kubis and Doubles in our case) – on learners’ perceptions of transactional distance in synchronous hybrid learning environments, in which face-to-face and online participants interact in shared learning sessions simultaneously. Results indicate that telepresence robots generally worked well in reducing the transactional distance between online and face-to-face participants. Traditional videoconferencing technologies were still effective in narrowing the transactional distance among online participants. Findings also indicate that factors such as purpose of interaction and group size influenced the impact of media of interaction on transactional distance.

Authors

• Cui Cheng, Michigan State University

• William Cain, Michigan State University

• John E. Bell, Michigan State University

• Amy T. Peterson, Michigan State University