<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> This study examines the presence of transactional distance among students, the factors affecting it, as well as the way it influences the learning process of students in a blended distance learning setting in Greece. The present study involved 12 postgraduate students of the Hellenic Open University (HOU). A qualitative research was conducted, using information collected via individual semi-structured interviews. Content analysis of the gathered information provided evidence regarding the existence of student-student transactional distance for several reasons, such as geographical and relatively limited face to face interaction. The role of the tutor as well as of the course provider were also examined in this respect. Finally the study indicated that the existence of perceived transactional distance among the students has a negative effect on their learning process.</p></abstract>

This study examines the presence of transactional distance among students, the factors affecting it, as well as the way it influences the learning process of students in a blended distance learning setting in Greece. The present study involved 12 postgraduate students of the Hellenic Open University (HOU). A qualitative research was conducted, using information collected via individual semi-structured interviews. Content analysis of the gathered information provided evidence regarding the existence of student-student transactional distance for several reasons, such as geographical and relatively limited face to face interaction. The role of the tutor as well as of the course provider were also examined in this respect. Finally the study indicated that the existence of perceived transactional distance among the students has a negative effect on their learning process.

Transactional Distance among Open University Students: How Does it Affect the Learning Process?

Hellenic Open University, School of Humanities [www.eap.gr], Patras, Greece

European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

This study examines the presence of transactional distance among students, the factors affecting it, as well as the way it influences the learning process of...

Transactional Distance among Open University Students: How Does it Affect the Learning Process?

Published Online: Dec 11, 2014

Page range: 26 - 42

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/eurodl-2014-0002

Keywords
student-student transactional distance, blended course, distance learning, communication, interaction

© 2014

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Transactional Distance among Open University Students: How Does it Affect the Learning Process?

Published Online: Dec 11, 2014

Page range: 26 - 42

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/eurodl-2014-0002

Keywordsstudent-student transactional distance, blended course, distance learning, communication, interaction

© 2014

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
student-student transactional distance, blended course, distance learning, communication, interaction