Exploring the factors that enhance student–content interaction in a technology-mediated learning environment

Abstract

The authors discuss the results of a study that was conducted on the factors that enhance effective interaction between students and learning contents in a technology-mediated learning environment in a higher education setting. The results revealed that effective student–content interaction is strongly enhanced by expansive learning through its five key elements; epistemic relation, contradictions, digital learning content, conglomeration of views and cognitive transformation. The intervening effect of network relations and mediating technology was also highlighted therefore, revealing the positive impact of both factors in enhancing effective student-content interaction. The empirical methods employed by the authors were focus group interview (n = 12) and questionnaire (n = 500) among students in a university. While Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the quantitative data, the focus group interviews were analysed using categories, themes and concepts. The authors present the findings and implications of the study by way of theory, practice and further research in the study.

Keywords

• student–content interaction
• mediating technology
• expansive learning
• network relations
• digital learning environment
• structural equation modelling