L2 2 1

=Students are provided with course documentation describing all of the communication channels used. =

Evidence
Clearly there is no point having a range of communication channels available unless students are aware of them and how to use them. It is not sufficient that tools be provided, there must also be activities designed to encourage their use and support of effective engagement such as set out by Salmon (2000).

Vrasidas and McIssac (1999) discuss factors influencing online interactivity, which they identify as ‘learner control, transactional distance…feedback, and social presence’ (p. 24). Learner control is said to consist of: ‘independence, power and support’ (p. 24); with independence relating to freedom of choice; power relating to capabilities for engaging with learning; and support relating to resources that enable participation.

See L4.1.1 – L4.1.3 for more on course documentation and communication channels.