Promoting interaction; maintaining independence: swallowing the mixture

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Additional informationNotes on contributorsPhilip JulerIn this article Philip Juler of the Institute of Distance Education, Deakin University, Australia, introduces the concept of discourse as a way of considering the educational experience that is actually and potentially available through distance education. Discourse, he argues, offers a more subtle metaphor than 'dialogue' or 'guided didactic conversation', and in particular demands consideration of the roles played in any interaction. He concludes with examples of practice where independence and interaction dominate, and relates these to the concept of discourse. The article originally appeared in a shorter form in the papers for the conference 'Interaction and Independence in Distance Education and Open Learning'.