Interaction is the two-way dialogue between instructors and learners aimed at helping each student convert general information into personal knowledge.

To ensure effective interaction, course designers need to consider these questions:

• Who will be interacting with the students?
• How often will interactions occur, and how long will they last?
• Around what topics or tasks will interactions occur?
• What interactive technologies are available?
• For what topics or tasks of interaction will each technology be used?

Interaction can be designed to occur in real time, or synchronously (by audio, video, or synchronous computer conference), or asynchronously (through traditional or electronic mail).

Synchronous interaction usually (though not always) takes place with learners in groups, and asynchronous interaction with individual learners.

Some courses may be designed to include interaction among the learners, independent of interaction between the learners and instructors.

• T. Cyrs and F. Smith, Maximizing Interaction During a Telelecture
  
• Adrian Kirkwood, Selection and Use of Media for Open and Distance Learning

• Online Facilitation
  
• The Role of Place in a Learner Centred Virtual Learning Environment
  
• Technology as Cognitive Tools: Learners as designers
  
• Staying "In-the-moment" in Asynchronous Online Interaction
  
• An Internet-Based Introductory College Astronomy Course with Real-Time Telescopic Observing
  
• Strategies for Teaching at a Distance
  
• Michael Moore, Three Types of Interaction. Permission to link granted.
  
• Michael Moore, Five C's of the Local Coordinator. Permission to link granted.