An evaluation of the relevance of Vygotsky's theory of learning and development in the analyses of learner interaction and knowledge construction in an online communication course

This paper contributes to scholarly discussions about the links between educational research and practice and the relevance of constructivist theory in the development, delivery and evaluation of teaching and learning strategies within online contexts. Results from a research study which investigated the processes of, and the relationship between, learner-learner interaction and knowledge construction within an online communication course are utilised to demonstrate the fit between theory, research and practice and to show how, as educators, we may use both extant and new knowledge to improve pedagogies within online learning contexts.