Introduction to Interactive Communication Technologies

This is a chapter from a text written for the Certificate in Distance Education, a non-credit class offered for Continuing Education Units through IU Bloomington. It provides an overview of technology as it applies to distance education from the perspective of instructors making instructional design decisions but it is also a nice overview of technology for students entering a distance education program where a familiarity with the technology and terminology is beneficial.

Interaction is an important component of any learning experience. Distance education requires creatively using interactive communication technologies (ICT). However, more isn’t always better. Successful distance education programs mix instructional technologies and strategies to help learners interact with the instructional content, the instructor, and each other. Choosing the technologies and formats that best mediate learner, organizational, and instructional needs is one of the most important factors to consider when designing your organization’s distance education programs.

Topics in this Module include:

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