A Critical Analysis of Transactional Distance Theory

Paul Gorsky; Avner Caspi

Quarterly Review of Distance Education Vol. 6, No. 1 (2005) pp. 1–11

This investigation reviews published empirical studies that attempted to support or to validate transactional distance theory (Moore, 1993). It was found that either data only partially supported the theory or, that if they apparently did so, the...

Social Presence in Online Discussion Groups: Testing Three Conceptions and Their Relations to Perceived Learning

Avner Caspi; Ina Blau

Social Psychology of Education: An International Journal Vol. 11, No. 3 (August 2008) pp. 323–346

The correlation between three conceptions of social presence (seen as 1. a subjective quality of a medium that determines the quality of the communication and perception of others, 2. self-projection onto the group, and 3. identification with the...

Instructional Dialogue: Distance Education Students' Dialogic Behaviour

Avner Caspi; Paul Gorsky

Studies in Higher Education Vol. 31, No. 6 (December 2006) pp. 735–752

Instructional systems, both distance education and campus-based, may be viewed in terms of intrapersonal and interpersonal "instructional dialogues," that mediate and facilitate learning respectively, and "instructional resources" that enable such...

Transformational and Passive Leadership: An Initial Investigation of University Instructors as Leaders in a Virtual Learning Environment

Ronit Bogler; Avner Caspi; Sonia Roccas

Educational Management Administration & Leadership Vol. 41, No. 3 (May 2013) pp. 372–392

The study investigated whether students perceive their university instructors in a virtual learning environment as leaders. Referring to the full range leadership theory (FRLT), we examined the effects of transformational and passive leadership...

The influence of group size on nonmandatory asynchronous instructional discussion groups

Avner Caspi; Paul Gorsky; Eran Chajut

Internet and Higher Education Vol. 6, No. 3 (2003) pp. 227–240

In this study, the authors examined the effect of group size on students' behavior in asynchronous, nonmandatory instructional discussion groups. The focus in this study is on four main questions: (a) Does group size affect the proportion of learner–...

Language: English

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Tutorials: Factors Affecting Students' Preferences and Choices

Ruth Beyth-Marom; Kelly Saporta; Avner Caspi

Journal of Research on Technology in Education Vol. 37, No. 3 (2005) pp. 245–262

This study aimed to determine the factors that affect students' preferences regarding tutorial modes. A learning-habit inclinations questionnaire (LHIQ) was constructed and administered to 288 students. Factor analysis revealed four factors: "time...

Use of Instructional Dialogue by University Students in a Distance Education Chemistry Course

Paul Gorsky; Avner Caspi; Inbal Tuvi-Arad

The Journal of Distance Education / Revue de l'ducation Distance Vol. 19, No. 1 (2004) pp. 1–19

A distance education system may be viewed in terms of intrapersonal and interpersonal instructional dialogues that mediate the learning and instructional resources that enable such dialogues. Instructional resources include self-instruction texts,...

A Comparison of Non-Mandatory Online Dialogic Behavior in Two Higher Education Blended Environments

Paul Gorsky; Avner Caspi; Ina Blau

Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks Vol. 16, No. 4 (June 2012) pp. 55–69

This study compares dialogic behavior in asynchronous course forums from blended learning environments with "non"-mandatory student participation at a campus-based college and at a distance education, Open University. The goal is to document...

Dialogue in a Distance Education Physics Course

Paul Gorsky; Avner Caspi; Ricardo Trumper

Open Learning Vol. 19, No. 3 (November 2004) pp. 265–277

This study investigated the kinds of dialogues utilized by Open University students while studying an intermediate level physics course. Research objectives were twofold: to document what dialogue types, mediated through which resources, were (1)...

Viewing Comprehension: Students' Learning Preferences and Strategies When Studying from Video

Avner Caspi; Paul Gorsky; Meira Privman

Instructional Science: An International Journal of the Learning Sciences Vol. 33, No. 1 (January 2005) pp. 31–47

This research examined how students at the Open University of Israel studied from video recordings of lectures. At the semester's end, seven history students were interviewed in order to trace their experiences, learning strategies and preferences....

Use of Instructional Dialogue by University Students in a Difficult Distance Education Physics Course

Paul Gorsky; Avner Caspi; Samantha Smidt

The Journal of Distance Education / Revue de l'ducation Distance Vol. 21, No. 3 (2007) pp. 1–22

This study investigated the kinds of dialogic behavior engaged in by students while studying a difficult physics course at the Open University, UK. Research objectives were twofold: (1) to document what dialogue types, mediated through which...

Campus-Based University Students' Use of Dialogue

Paul Gorsky; Avner Caspi; Ricardo Trumper

Studies in Higher Education Vol. 31, No. 1 (February 2006) pp. 71–87

This investigation explores the kinds of study strategies used by campus-based university students in terms of the dialogues they engaged in while learning physics and chemistry in both large and small classes. Research objectives were threefold: (1)...

Participation in class and in online discussions: Gender differences

Avner Caspi; Eran Chajut; Kelly Saporta

Computers & Education Vol. 50, No. 3 (April 2008) pp. 718–724

Gender differences between participation in face-to-face and web-based classroom discussions were examined, by comparing the men–women actual participation ratio to the men–women attendance (or login) ratio. It was found that men over-proportionally ...

Language: English

The Influence of Personality on Social Participation in Learning Environments

Avner Caspi; Eran Chajut; Kelly Saporta; Ruth Beyth-Marom

Learning and Individual Differences Vol. 16, No. 2 (2006) pp. 129–144

The impacts of the instructional environment (classroom vs. Web-based instructional environment--WBIE) and personality differences on students' social participation were examined among 214 university students. Students reported their attendance,...

Introduction to the IJELL Special Series of Chais Conference 2016 Best Papers

Nitza Geri; Ina Blau; Avner Caspi; Yoram Kalman; Vered Silber-Varod; Yoram Eshet-Alkalai

Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects Vol. 12, No. 1 (Mar 13, 2016) pp. 163–168

This preface presents the papers included in the eighth issue of the Interdisciplinary Journal of e-Skills and Lifelong Learning (IJELL) special series of selected Chais Conference best papers. The Chais Conference for the Study of Innovation and...

Beyond the Walls of the Classroom: Introduction to the IJELL Special Series of Chais Conference 2017 Best Papers

Nitza Geri; Ina Blau; Avner Caspi; Yoram Kalman; Vered Silber-Varod; Yoram Eshet-Alkalai

Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects Vol. 13, No. 1 (Jan 02, 2017) pp. 143–150

Aim/Purpose: This preface presents the papers included in the ninth issue of the Interdisciplinary Journal of e-Skills and Lifelong Learning (IJELL) special series of selected Chais Conference best papers. Background: The Chais Conference for the...

Introduction to the IJELLO Special Series of Chais Conference 2013 Best Papers

Nitza Geri; Avner Caspi; Sigal Eden; Yoram Kalman; Yoav Yair; Yoram Eshet-Alkalai

Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects Vol. 9, No. 1 (Jan 01, 2013) pp. 193–199

A Decade of Chais Conferences: Introduction to the IJELL Special Series of Chais Conference 2015 Best Papers

Nitza Geri; Ina Blau; Avner Caspi; Yoram Kalman; Vered Silber-Varod; Yoram Eshet-Alkalai

Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects Vol. 11, No. 1 (Jan 26, 2015) pp. 149–157

The seventh issue of the Interdisciplinary Journal of e-Skills and Lifelong Learning (IJELL- formerly Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects - IJELLO) special series includes a selection of best papers presented at the 10th...

Introduction to the IJELLO Special Series of Chais Conference 2014 Best Papers

Nitza Geri; Avner Caspi; Yoram Kalman; Vered Silber-Varod; Yoav Yair; Yoram Eshet-Alkalai

Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects Vol. 10, No. 1 (Jan 01, 2014) pp. 123–130

Introduction to the IJELLO Special Series of Chais Conference 2012 Best Papers

Nitza Geri; Avner Caspi; Sigal Eden; Yoram Kalman; Yoav Yair; Yoram Eshet-Alkalai

Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects Vol. 8, No. 1 (Jan 01, 2012) pp. 65–71

Learning and Teaching in the Technological Era: Introduction to the IJELLO Special Series of Chais Conference 2011 Best Papers

Nitza Geri; Yoav Yair; Avner Caspi; Sigal Eden; Yoram Eshet-Alkalai

Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects Vol. 7, No. 1 (Jan 01, 2011) pp. 205–211