Ecological Perspectives on Distance-Learning
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to dentify the key components, or parameters, needed to design an online learning environment at university level. The ecological approach will be used to analyze the university’s ecosystem environment surrounding distance-learning courses (Siedentop, 2002). The ecosystem approach describes learning in a distance-learning environment consisting of nested levels within the systems: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem (Bronfenbrenner, 1979, 1992, 1996). The main reason for adopting an ecological framework for distance-learning is because it provides a dynamic reciprocal interaction approach of analysis between internal processes and external environments (Shachaf & Hara, 2002). As a recommendation, the study is to be used to inform policy makers, educational administrators, instructors and students of the steps needed to examine a distance-learning ecosystem at university level.
Presider: Knut Ekker, Nord Trondelag University College