Interactive Maps for Community in Online Learning

The online courses studied here used the visual medium of the interactive geographic map as a form of dialogue to reduce students' sense of transactional distance during the course, build their skills with Web 2.0 media, and increase their motivation. Using the dynamic map and the related online spreadsheet, the course participants created digital maps in which they interacted spatially. The maps supported active participation in the course and put the students in control as they visualized the relationships between other course members' locations and themselves. Interactive course maps are recommended for reducing transactional distance and to support team building.