Procesos comunicativos de interacción con el alumnado en el sistema universitario a distancia

Abstract

This paper aims to show how communication processes are carried out in in the interaction with the students at MadridUniversity (UDIMA). Peculiarities and constraints affecting e-learning systems in the context of higher education aredeveloping innovative mechanisms designed to get an effective communication between teachers and students and toachieve educational goals. There are three key aspects which distinguish communicative activity in UDIMA: 1) the useof strategies to bring knowledge closer to the student and to try to resolve technical difficulties; 2) the use of IT –Moodle, Ellumiante, Second Life, etc.- to create a participatory learning environment; 3) the combination of differentcodes –linguistic, paralinguistic and iconic– to multiply the possibilities of expression. The analysis of available dataallows us to affirm that the utilization of IT in the instructional design of courses and activities facilitates the creation ofa flexible and fluid communication atmosphere. This collaborative and communicative ambient helps students toacquire skills and competences imposed by professional requirements and show also that sometimes the results in elearning contexts are even more successful and profitable than those achieved in the presential education modality