Dialogue in practice, research and theory in distance education

Abstract

In this paper, Terry Evans of the Institute of Distance Education at Deakin University (Geelong, 3217, Australia) and Daryl Nation of the School of Social Sciences at Gippsland Institute (Churchill, 3842, Australia) argue that Dialogue is the essence of the practice, research and theory in distance education. Dialogue is crucial for real understanding, and for ‘quality in learning’... students are actively engaged in constructing meaning rather than recipients of information as embodied in mechanistic conceptions of the learner.

The authors hope to develop international dialogue amongst teachers and researchers in distance education. The editors of this journal also want to encourage this dialogue through further publications, and correspondence.