Interaction Design In Web-Based Instruction

The interaction is the base of and the main approach to the web-based instruction. The quality of interaction design has great effect on the instructional output. We can say that if there is no standout interaction, there will be no excellent web course. This can be proved by the hot discussions on web-based interaction today. Since 1999, many scholars have put forward their viewpoints and accumulated abundant practical experiences, which are the foundation of this thesis.In China, the study on interaction focuses on three aspects: first, its definition, features and types; second, the application of a specific interaction type; third, the building of interactive computer system or platform. The overseas discussions focus on the design of a given interaction type or the conclusion of web course development. It is obvious that theoretical studies on interaction have obtained some achievement, while researches on interaction design are still insufficient. Concerning this, the thesis begins its elaboration.Based on the depiction of interaction in web-based instruction, including its definition, features and types, this thesis puts forward the principles of interaction design, i. e. the combination of synchronous interaction with asynchronous interaction, the combination of content interaction with interperson interaction, the combination of teacher-center control with student-center control, the combination of internet communication with other communication and the combination of high frequency with high quality. Then, this paper describes a systematic framework to complete web-based interaction, and details on every part of this framework. As to the first part, the thesis explains the types (Operative, Reflective, Constructive and Immersive) and the levels (Directive Interactive, Processive and Compositive) of content interaction. Then it clarifies the types (innercourse and outercourse) and the levels (Directive, Collaborative and Social) of interperson interaction. As to the second part, the thesis elaborates on three levels (teacher-center control, directive control and student-center control) of content interaction and three levels (teacher-center control, group control, and self control) of interperson, and makes out the connection between the type and the control level of interaction. As to the third part, from the perspective of the broadcasting process of interaction, the thesis analyses many factors, which havemeffects on interaction, such as the instructional materiel, the learner differences and the cyberspace psychology. Following this, the thesis concludes eight strategies to which attention should be paid during the design work. As to the forth part, the thesis lists the common tools that we use to carry interaction, analyses and compares their technological character. At last, the thesis forecasts the future web-based interaction by analyzing some new technologies, e.g. XML, Multimedia Stream, Data Warehouses, Data Mining, Intelligent Agent and Virtual Reality.The main contribution of this thesis is the putting forward the principles and integrated framework of web-based interaction design. To some extent, it makes the study on interaction more effective to practical work. And the author hopes that it may engender deeper research.