Barriers To Communication In Distance Education

To a large extent education can be thought of as a communication process among the participants. This article focuses on distance education, which has both the general communication processes that in-person education venues possess, and also communication specific to the technologies that mediate the teaching and learning taking place at a distance. There are various opportunities and barriers to effective communication. An exhaustive review of literature regarding communication barriers to distance education summarizes the technical, psychological, social, cultural, and contextual challenges leading to a significant conclusion: that as technology used for distance education improves so does both the opportunities to overcome many of the barriers to ineffective communication and the complexity of the barriers that are faced by the participants. The hierarchy of this structure is described.

___

  • Ali, A. (2006). Modern technology and mass education: A case study of a global virtual learning system. In A. Edmundson (Ed.), Globalized learning cultural challenges.
  • Hershey, PA, USA: Idea Group. pp 327-339. Anderson, B. (2006). Writing power into online discussion. Computers and Composition, 23, 108–124.
  • Barrett, S. (2002). Overcoming transactional distance as a barrier to effective communication over the Internet. International Education Journal, 3(4), 34-42.
  • Bash, L. (2009). Engaging with cross-cultural communication barriers in globalized higher education: The case of research-degree students. Intercultural Education, 20(5): 475-4 AN 46776969.
  • Belchair, M.J., & Cucek, M. (2001). Student perceptions of their distance education courses. Research report 2001-04. ERIC #ED 480 923. Retrieved from http://www2.boisestate.edu/iassess/Reports/RR 2001-04.pdf http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=E D480923
  • Berge, Z. L. (1998). Barriers to online teaching in post-secondary institutions: Can policy changes fix it? Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration. 1(2). Retrieved from http://www.westga.edu/~distance/Berge12.html
  • Berge, Z. L. (2002). Active, interactive, and reflective elearning. The Quarterly Review of
  • Distance Education. 3(2): 181-190. Betts, K. (2009, March). Online human touch (OHT) training & support: A conceptual framework to increase faculty engagement, connectivity, and retention in online education, Part 2. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 5(1).
  • Borau, K., Ullrich, C., Feng, J., & Shen, R. (2009). Microblogging for language learning:
  • Using twitter to train communicative and cultural competence. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 5686, 78-87, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-03426-8_10. Retrieved from http://www.carstenullrich.net/pubs/Borau09Microblogging.pdf
  • Brown, J., & Metcalf, D. (2008, Summer). Mobile learning update. Elliott Masie’s Learning
  • Consortium Perspective. Retrieved from http://www.numerons.in/files/documents/M- Learning-Forecast.pdf Carr, K., Gardner, F., Odell, M., Mumsch, T., & Wilson, B. (2003). The role of online, asynchronous interaction in development of light and color concepts. The Journal of
  • Interactive Online Learning, 2(2): Retrieved from http://www.ncolr.org/jiol/issues/PDF/2.2.5.pdf Dabaj, F. (2011, January). Analysis of communication barriers to distance education: A review study. Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies, 1(1). Retrieved from http://www.ojcmt.net/articles/111.pdfhttp://www.ojcmt.net/articles/111.pdf
  • Dabaj, F., & Isman, A. (2004, February). Communication barriers in distance education:
  • Demetriadis, S., Papadopoulos, M., & Tsoukalas, I. (2005). Bridging the contextual distance: The e-CASE learning environment for supporting students’ context awareness.
  • Advances in informatics, Proceedings of the 10th Panhellenic Conference on Informatics. Volos, Greece, November 11-13. New York: Springer. pp: 523-533. Donaldson, R.L. (2011). Student acceptance of mobile learning. Doctoral dissertation,
  • Florida State University. Retrieved from http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd- 05312011-074842/unrestricted/Donaldson_R_dissertation_2011.pdf
  • Feenberg, A. (1989). The written world: on the theory and practice of computer conferencing. In R. Mason & A.R. Kaye (Eds.) Mindweave: Communication, computers and distance education, Pergamon, 22-39. Retrieved from http://www.sfu.ca/~andrewf/Writworl.htm
  • Fiedler, M., Haruvy, E., & Li, S.X. (2010). Social distance in a virtual world experiment.
  • Games and Economic Behavior 72(2): 400-426. Freedman, S.C., Tello, S.F., & Lewis, D. (2003). Strategies for improving instructor- student communication in online education. In F. Albalooshi (ed.), Virtual Education:
  • Cases in Learning & Teaching Technologies. IRM Press: Hershey, PA. 156-168. Retrieved from http://faculty.uml.edu/stello/IRMA0802.pdf
  • Galusha, J.M. (1997). Barriers to learning in distance education. University of Southern
  • Mississippi. Retrieved from http://www.infrastruction.com/barriers.htm Garrison, R. (2000). Theoretical challenges for distance education in the 21st century: A shift from structural to transactional issues. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 1(1): 1-17.
  • Gunawardena, C. N., & Zittle, F. J. (1997). Social presence as a predictor of satisfaction within a computer-mediated conferencing environment. The American Journal of
  • Distance Education, 11(3), 8–26. Hallberg, D., & Wafula, L. (2010). Empowering rural women in Kenya with literacy skills using web 2.0: experiences of language & communication barriers in learning,
  • Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on ICT for Africa, March 25-27, Yaounde, Cameroon. Baton Rouge, LA: International Center for IT and Development. pp: 100- Hansen, B., Shinkle, A., & Dupin, P. (1999, December). Feedback in distance education:
  • Broadening electronic communication pathways. Journal of Extension, 37(6). Retrieved from http://www.joe.org/joe/1999december/iw3.php
  • Hara, N., & Kling, R. (2000). Students’ distress with a Web-based distance education course: An ethnographic study of participants’ experiences. Information, Communication and Society, 3(4), 557-579.
  • Isman, A., & Altinay, F. (2005, October). Communication barriers: A study of Eastern
  • Mediterranean University students’ and teachers’ of online program and courses. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 6(4) Article 13. Retrieved from http://tojde.anadolu.edu.tr/tojde20/pdf/article_13.pdf Isman, A., Canan, O., Isbulan, O., & Demir, Z. (2008). Communication barriers: A study of candidates of using technology. 8th International Educational Technology Conference.
  • Anadolu University, Eskisehir. Isman, A., Dabaj, F., Altinay, F., & Altinay, Z. (2003, October). Communication barriers in distance education. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 2(4), article 2.
  • Jones, M. (2010). A CSCL approach to blended learning in the integration of technology in teaching. Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning & Learning Objects, 6, 103-113.
  • Keegan, D. (1986). The foundations of distance education. London: Croom Helm.
  • Kim, J. K., & Bonk, C. J. (2002). Cross-cultural comparisons of online collaboration.
  • Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 8(1). Kim, K.-J., Liu, S., & Bonk, C. J. (2005). Online MBA students’ perceptions of online learning: Benefits, challenges and suggestions. Internet and Higher Education, 8(4), 335- 3
  • King, S., Taylor, E., Satzinger, F., Carbonaro, M., & Greidanus, E. (2008). Developing interdisciplinary team competencies in a blended learning course: Impact on student learning. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Proactice, 6(1).
  • Kirschner, P. A., & Van Bruggen, J. (2004). Learning and understanding in virtual teams.
  • CyberPsychology & Behavior, 7(2), 135-139. Koh, M. H., & Hill, J. R. (2009). Student perceptions of group work in an online course:
  • Benefits and challenges. Journal of Distance Education, 23(2): 69-91. Koh, M.H., Barbour, M., & Hill, J.R. (2010). Strategies for instructors on how to improve online groupwork. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 43(2): 183-205.
  • Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2005). Current uses of wireless and mobile learning. Retrieved http://www.jisc.ac.uk/uploaded_documents/Current%20Uses%20FINAL%202005.doc
  • Kurubacak, G. (2007). Identifying research priorities and needs in mobile learning technologies for distance education: A Delphi study. Journal of Teaching and Learning in
  • Higher Education, 19(3): 216-227. Liu, X., Liu, S., Lee, S.-h., & Magjuka, R. J. (2010). cultural differences in online learning: international student perceptions. Educational Technology & Society, 13 (3), 177–188.
  • McKee, T. (2010, May). 69. Thirty years of distance education: personal reflections.
  • International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 11(2). McMahon, J., Gardner, J.A., Gray, C. & Mulhern, G. (1999). Barriers to student computer usage: staff and student perceptions. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 15(4), 302- 3
  • Moore, M. (1993). Theory of transactional distance. In D. Keegan (Ed.), Theoretical principles of distance education (pp. 22-38). London: Routledge.
  • Moore, M. G., & Kearsley, G. (2012). Distance education: A systems view of online learning, (3rd ed.). New York: Wadsworth/Cengage.
  • O’Hanlon, N. (2001, Summer). Development, delivery, and outcomes of a distance course for new college students. Library Trends, 50(1): 8-27.
  • Ozelkan, E.C. & Galambosi, A. (2012). Overcoming communication barriers in online teaching: Understanding faculty preferences. In the Proceedings of the International
  • Conference on Communication, Media, Technology and Design (ICCMTD). Istanbul, Turkey. 09-11 May. pp. 292-298. Retrieved from http://www.cmdconf.net/2012/makale/55.pdf
  • Pereira, A. Lisbon, A., & Lõhmus, K. (2005). Chapter 4: Pedagogical issues in ODL. In K.
  • DePryck (Ed.), Getting started with open and distance learning. (pp: 43-55). Antwerp, Belgium: Garant Publishers. Retrieved from http://www.odlexpert.net/getstart/chapter4.pdf Perreault, H., Waldman, L., Alexander, M., & Zhao, J. (2002, July/August). Overcoming barriers to successful delivery of distance-learning courses. Journal of Education for Business, 77(6), 313-318.
  • Ramsden, A., & Jordan, L. (2009). Are students ready for QR codes? Findings from a student survey at the University of Bath. Working Paper. University of Bath.
  • Retrievedhttp://opus.bath.ac.uk/12782/1/qrcodes_student_survey_uniofbath_feb09.pdf
  • Rittschof, K. A., Griffin, B. W. (2003a). Confronting limitations of cyberspace college courses: Part I—Identifying and describing issues. International Journal of Instructional Media, 30(2), 127-142.
  • Rittschof, K. A., Griffin, B. W. (2003b). Confronting limitations of cyberspace college courses: Part 2—Developing solutions. International Journal of Instructional Media, 30(3), 285-294.
  • Rohleder, P., Bozalek, V., Carolissen, R., Leibowitz, B., & Swartz, L. (2008). Students’ evaluation of the use of e-learning in a collaborative project between two South African universities. Higher Education, 56(1), 95-107.
  • Russell, C.K., Gregory, D.M., Care, W.D., & Hultin, D. (2007 November-December).
  • Recognizing and avoiding intercultural miscommunication in distance education: A study of the experiences of Canadian faculty and aboriginal nursing students. Journal of Professional Nursing, 23(6): 351-361. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18053961
  • Rye, S.A., & Stİkken, A.M. (2012, January). The implications of the local context in global online education. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 13(1).
  • Sarrafzadeh, M., & Williamson, K. (2012, January/June). Multicultural, virtual work places: Opportunities and challenges for LIS educators. International Journal of
  • Information Science and Management, 2(1): 89-102. Retrieved from http://www.ricest.ac.ir/ijist/Vol10N1/ijism-V10N1_files/ijism101-89-102.pdf Sharma, P., & Maleyeff, J. (2003). Internet education: Potential problems and solutions.
  • The International Journal of Educational Management, 17(1), 19-25. Shen, C-Y. (2004). The impact of cultural factors in distance learning: A reviewing research. In L. Cantoni & C. McLoughlin (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on
  • Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2004 (pp. 3743-3748). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
  • Slagter van Tryon, P.J., & Bishop, M.J. (2009). Theoretical foundations for enhancing social connectedness in online learning environments. Distance Education, 30(3): 291- 3
  • So, H.-J., & Brush, T.A. (2008). Student perceptions of collaborative learning, social presence and satisfaction in a blended learning environment: Relationships and critical factors. Computers and Education, 51: 318–336.
  • Thorpe, M. (2002). Rethinking learner support: The challenge of collaborative online learning. Open Learning, 17(2): 106-119.
  • Tinguely, S. (2010, July 27). Issues in distance education: Communication. Retrieved from http://learning-with-sara.blogspot.com/2010_07_27_archive.html
  • Valaitis, R., Sword, W.A., Jones, B., & Hodges, A. (2005). Problem-based learning online: perceptions of health science students. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 10:231– 2 DOI 10.1007/s10459-005-6705-3
  • Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind in society. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  • Wang, M., & Kang, M. (2006). Cybergogy for engaged learning: A framework for creating learner engagement through information and communication technology. In D. Hung and M.S. Khine (Eds.), Engaged Learning with Emerging Technologies, pp: 225-253. DOI: 1007/1-4020-3669-8_11
  • Willis, W. (1996, February 1). Telephony products enhance convenience, communication
  • & distance learning. T.H.E. Journal, Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/1996/02/01/telephony-products-enhance-convenience- communication--distance-learning.aspx
  • Winthrop, R. (1991). Dictionary of Concepts in Cultural Anthropology (Vol. 11). New
  • York, NY.: Greenwood Press. Zaltsman, R. (2009). Chapter XIX: Communication barriers and conflicts in cross-cultural e-learning. In M. Chang & C. Kuo (Ed.) Learning Culture and Language through
  • ICTs: Methods for Enhanced Instruction. Pp: 318-330. Hershey, PA USA: IGI. l.