I read and reviewed a very interesting research article about the higher education online learning environment. Technology educational affordance helps to bridge technology and instructional goals. The article addressed the interaction of technology and discussion as essential components. Technological environments (technology tools/participants and resources in education) help to form educators' discussions. The study found important interactions in different online learning activities and also the relationship to technology tools. As directly stated from the article, "The technological design influenced the differential appearance of educational uses of ICT and patterns of educational interaction in each of the three learning activities that were analyzed. The pedagogical design of each learning activity also influenced the appearance of diverse profiles of ICT use and patterns of educational interaction. We also showed that each learning activity possessed a group of very diverse learning actions which were characteristic of each learning activity." Higher ed. online learning activities will meet unique learning styles of all learners by differentiating instructional needs. Also, online learning activities and discussions from learners will help to narrow the gap, when meaningful online dialogue is the central point.
Badia, A. Barbera, E., Guasch, T., & Espasa, A., (2011). Technology educational affordance: Bridging the gap between patterns of interaction and technology usage. Digital Education Review, 19, 20-35.
