The effects of interaction types on learning outcomes in a blog-based interactive learning environment

Abstract

ABSTRACT As the use of online learning has continued to expand, there has been a growing demand for advanced software or social sites that can enhance learning outcomes in online settings. It is important to explore how learner–learner, learner–teacher and learner–content interactions affect on learning outcomes while using the social sites such as Facebook, Twitter, WeChat, Blogs, etc. Although some prior research highlight that there is a demand for interaction in online courses, specific design tactics and empirical evaluation of the effects of interaction on learning outcomes in blog-based courses are lacking. Thus, a blog learning platform named “Learner’s Digest Blog” (LDB) was developed to facilitate the three types of interactions and enhance learning outcomes. A total of 26 learners participated in the blog-based interactive learning environment. The study addressed two research questions, and regression analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings indicated a significant influence between learner–learner interaction, learner–teacher interaction and learner–content interaction on subjective learning outcome. In contrast, there was no significant influence of learner–teacher interaction on objective learning outcomes, but learner–learner and learner–content did significantly affect objective learning outcomes. A significant relationship was also found between students’ subjective and objective learning outcomes.