Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Human Resource Development Quarterly

ISSN

1044-8004

Volume

18

Issue

2

DOI

10.1002/hrdq.1202

First Page

253

Last Page

274

Publication Date

Summer 2007

Abstract

This qualitative case study was designed to examine how interpersonal interaction benefited (and did not benefit) participants in an online professional development course. In recent years, e-learning courses in workplace and organizational settings have begun to include interaction and dialogue among participants. This case study is an in-depth exploration of interpersonal interaction and social presence within one such course. Notable findings include that (1) participants valued the sharing of specific case-based knowledge by fellow participants, (2) some participants valued professional socialization with others in the field, (3) enthusiastic learners revealed complex and contradictory perspectives regarding interpersonal interaction, (4) facilitators needed to model social presence for participants, (5) some “inactive” participants were actually engaged, and (6) learners may seek online courses for purposes of intellectual safety.

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