Twelve tips for applying Moore’s Theory of Transactional Distance to optimize online teaching

Abstract

Globally, education has seen increased incorporation of online and distance approaches to teaching and learning across all fields and program levels. As a result, many educators question how best to deliver their content in this format, resulting in a significant demand for professional development resources that focus on the best practices for online teaching. These twelve tips focus on the design, delivery and refinement stages of course development and introduce health professions educators to Moore’s Theory of Transactional Distance, with the end goal of identifying concrete opportunities and methods for applying Moore’s Theory to their online teaching.

Keywords:

• Transactional distance
• distance education
• online education
• online teaching
• online interaction

Declaration of interest

Drs. Roach and Attardi have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Victoria A. Roach

Victoria A. Roach, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Healthcare Simulation Science in the Department of Surgery at the University of Washington, in Seattle, WA, USA.

Stefanie M. Attardi

Stefanie M. Attardi, PhD, are assistant professors in the Department of Foundational Medical Studies at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Rochester, Michigan, USA.