Dimensions of transactional distance in the world wide web learning environment: a factor analysis

Moore's Theory of Transactional Distance hypothesizes that distance is a pedagogical, not geographic phenomenon. It is a distance of understandings and perceptions that might lead to a communication gap or a psychological space of potential misunderstandings between people. Moore also suggests that this distance has to be overcome if effective, deliberate, planned learning is to occur. However, the conceptualizations of transactional distance in a telecommunication era have not been systematically addressed. Investigating 71 learners' experiences with World Wide Web, this study examined the postulate of Moore's theory and identified the dimensions (factors) constituting transactional distance in such learning environment. Exploratory factor analysis using a principal axis factor method was carried out. It was concluded that this concept represented multifaceted ideas. Transactional distance consisted of four dimensions-instructor-learner, learner-learner, learner-content, and learner-interface transactional distance. The results inform researchers and practitioners of Web-based instruction concerning the factors of transactional distance that need to be taken into account and overcome in WWW courses.