Question

Online Learning ( Statement of Preference) *

Answer 1

Answer:

Online learning is education that takes place over the Internet. It is often referred to as “e- learning” among other terms.

Explanation:

The current advancements in technology allow us to integrate a variety of media into online

courses. However, media can either limit or promote students’ interactions (Thoms &

Eryilmaz, 2014), and the use of inappropriate or ineffective media impedes the delivery of

the course content. Therefore, selecting the right media is key to successful online learning.

When instructors design online courses, they should consider students’ media usage patterns

and preferences.

Past studies have identified media-richness as one of the influential factors for people’s

media preferences. The theory suggests that people choose specific media according to

levels of uncertainty and equivocality of information (Daft & Lengel, 1984, 1986; Daft, Lengel

& Trevino, 1987). Uncertainty is related to the quantity of information, which can be reduced

by providing additional information, whereas equivocality addresses the complexity or

ambiguity of information itself. According to the theory, two types of media exist: rich and

lean media. Rich media transmit information through multiple channels, such as audio and

visual, and they may be appropriate for discussing complicated or personal matters. On the

other hand, lean media deliver information through limited channels, such as text only;

therefore, they may be useful for casual conversation or information exchange. The theory

suggests that richer media are generally synchronous media that can afford immediate

feedback, verbal and nonverbal communication cues, a sense of personalized

communication, and natural language (Capsi & Gorsky, 2005).