The Online Interaction Learning Model: An Integrated Theoretical Framework for Learning Networks

A theoretical framework is the first step in generating a comprehensive theory for a field. It models the key concepts, and the relationships among these concepts, that can be used to organize the knowledge and to generate hypotheses for empirical testing. Aspects of the learning process itself occupy the central place in the online interaction learning model. In particular, the role of collaborative learning (learning together with one’s peers) is given a prominent place in the model, and chapter 10 is devoted to theories and research on it.