Table 1 Themes and Indicators for... | Emerald Publishing

Table 1

Themes and Indicators for Assessing the Quality of Online Instruction

Themes	Indicators
Learners and Instructors How do learner and instructor characteristics influence online learning?	Learner characteristics ○ Demographics ○ Diversity ○ Motivation ○ Technical fluency	Instructor roles ○ Manager ○ Technical advisor ○ Facilitator ○ Social director o Educationalist
Medium What cognitive and technological tools effectively support online learning?	Transparent versus transformative use of technology Synchronous versus asynchronous delivery Influence of technology-based factors ○ Embedded cognitive tools (e.g., whiteboards) ○ Access to print and electronic resources
Community and Discourse What social and interactive tools effectively support online learning?	Reducing isolation and creating connections Role of community in effective online learning ○ Building community through course structure ○ Building community through discussion Varied levels of interaction (e.g., learner-instructor; learner-learner)
Pedagogy What instructional strategies effectively support online learning?	Active, problem-based, learner-centered instruction Multiple modes of interaction and collaboration Use of modeling and reflective tools Workload and awareness of student needs
Assessment How do formative and summative assessment practices influence online learning?	Prompt formative feedback Quality, honesty, and security in assessment Effective measures of student understanding
Content What unique opportunities and challenges arise in content-specific learning?	Symbolic nature of mathematics Iconic/visual nature of mathematics Abstract nature of mathematics Mathematical technology (e.g., software and calculators)

Themes	Indicators
Learners and Instructors How do learner and instructor characteristics influence online learning?	Learner characteristics ○ Demographics ○ Diversity ○ Motivation ○ Technical fluency	Instructor roles ○ Manager ○ Technical advisor ○ Facilitator ○ Social director o Educationalist
Medium What cognitive and technological tools effectively support online learning?	Transparent versus transformative use of technology Synchronous versus asynchronous delivery Influence of technology-based factors ○ Embedded cognitive tools (e.g., whiteboards) ○ Access to print and electronic resources
Community and Discourse What social and interactive tools effectively support online learning?	Reducing isolation and creating connections Role of community in effective online learning ○ Building community through course structure ○ Building community through discussion Varied levels of interaction (e.g., learner-instructor; learner-learner)
Pedagogy What instructional strategies effectively support online learning?	Active, problem-based, learner-centered instruction Multiple modes of interaction and collaboration Use of modeling and reflective tools Workload and awareness of student needs
Assessment How do formative and summative assessment practices influence online learning?	Prompt formative feedback Quality, honesty, and security in assessment Effective measures of student understanding
Content What unique opportunities and challenges arise in content-specific learning?	Symbolic nature of mathematics Iconic/visual nature of mathematics Abstract nature of mathematics Mathematical technology (e.g., software and calculators)