Instructor guidance in web-based distance education environments: Enhancing the e-learning process

A fundamental goal of web-based distance education is to help students learn to work independently, think critically, and actively participate in the learning process. However, attempting to provide web-based learners with a greater degree of autonomy and independence can be unnerving to individuals who are accustomed to more traditional methods of education in which the instructor serves as an authoritative disseminator of truths and the student is simply a passive observer. In order to help students become familiar with the active learning that occurs in web-based distance education environments, instructors should seek to enhance the e-learning process by providing appropriate guidance and structure. This paper shares innovative ideas for providing instructor guidance and structure in web-based distance education environments. Two major areas provide a framework for discussions, including: (a) outline the importance of providing appropriate instructor guidance in web-based environments, and (b) share strategies for providing guidance. This paper seeks to help educators enhance technologically mediated learning environments through the implementation of effective guidance strategies.