EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies - 314500054

Wikipedia Post of a Theorist

by
Shantel Victor-Cole

A Paper Presented in Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements of
EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies
Trimester I, 2015-2016

Email:
University:
eTutor:
Course Coordinator

shantelvictor.cole@open.uwi.edu
University of the West Indies Open Campus
Dr. Laura Gray
Dr. Camille Dickson-Deane

EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies - 314500054

Reflection Paper

This assignment was particularly challenging for me as I sought to fulfill the requirement,
which was to do a Wikipedia post on a theorist who made an important contribution to the field
of instructional design, technology and/or distance education. In my research, I came across the
name Dr. Michael G. Moore; a theorist on transactional distance. The research for a theorist who
didnt have a Wikipedia post was quite challenging, as many of the known theorist already had
an article about him/her. Eventually, when I researched distance learning as a single unit, I
came across a slideshare presentation, which mentioned Dr. Moore, where he was described as
being one of three wise men of distant education theory (Anderson, 2011). While there are
many articles written about Dr. Moores work, there arent many about his personal life, leading
me to believe that he doesnt mix his personal life with business. I eventually got a snippet of his
life in a book written by him.
It was quite a daunting yet an exciting venture for me to actually create a Wikipedia post.
It challenged my ability to navigate their creation page and to make proper use of references,
citations etc. After publishing the page, there were a few issues that needed to be sorted and I
found that the help given was quite useful in making the page more credible. However, up until
the time of writing this reflection, I havent been able to find a photo that fits the requirements
for Wikipedia. It has been quite frustrating for me and a little disappointing. At this point, the
deadline is approaching and I need to give attention to other assignments.
Overall, it was a good experience for me.

EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies - 314500054

Link to the Wikipedia Article

Michael G. Moore

Dr. Michael Grahame Moore

EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies - 314500054

Content in article on Wikipedia

Michael G. Moore
Introduction
"Dr Michael Grahame Moore is Professor Emeritus of Education at the Pennsylvania State
University". [1]He is known for his major contributions to the field of distance education. In 1972,
he published his first statement of theory. His theory stated that "distance education is not simply
a geographical separation of learners and teachers, but, more importantly, is a pedagogical
concept".[2] After approximately 11 years, Moore was finally able to put a name to his theory;
Transactional Distance Theory. After many years of working in different countries, Dr Moore
was employed by the Pennsylvania State University as a Professor of Education in the
Department of Learning and Performance Systems. There he taught the first course developed in
distance education. Around the same time, he planned an Annual Distance Education
Conference, which was the first of its kind, in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1986, he launched the
American Center for Study of Distance Education and subsequently developed the
first American Journal of Distance Education; the first educational journal to be developed in the
United States. Dr Moore served on all editorial boards relating to distant education journals. He
was successful in publishing over 100 articles and 2 books, with translations in four different
languages. In 2002, Dr Moore was inducted into the United States Distance Learning Association
Hall of Fame and subsequently in 2013, he was inducted into the Adult Education Hall of Fame.
Personal Life
Dr. Michael Graham Moore grew up in England and enjoys spending summers at his apartment
in Devon, UK with his wife. He has an active professional life but finds time to spend watching
cricket and rugby, visit National Trust properties and eating Cornish pastries. Dr. Moore was
initially educated in the United Kingdom (UK), but received his Ph.D. in 1973 at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison. He then begun his academic career in Canada, but later returned to the
UK, to work at the Open University.
Education and Academic Career
19701973: University of Wisconsin-Madison : Ph.D.
19591960: Goldsmiths' College, London : PGCE
19561959: London School of Economics : B.Sc. (Econ.)
After working in Africa and realizing that there was a need to make knowledge and education
more accessible to people, Dr Moore began studying the work of Charles Wedemeyer. In Africa
he, Dr. Moore, noticed that people's main form of communication was through battery operated

EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies - 314500054

radios, as they couldn't afford basic telecommunications. It is through this observation that he
began to explore ways of bringing knowledge via radio to the people of the village.[3] Eventually,
Dr Moore was employed as a research assistant to Charles Wedemeyer. While working with
Wedemeyer, Dr Moore began his doctoral studies in adult education at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. It is during his studies that he began to notice a disconnect in the literature
he was reading for class and the research he and Wedemeyer were conducting, so he set out to
write a theory about teaching-learning in which the learners and teachers were not in the same
place-time environment, (Shin, 2000, p. 215) which became the topic of his dissertation
research; the theory of independent learning and teaching. [4]
Professional Career at a Glance[5]

Year

1959

Description

University of London, Bachelor of Science in Economics

High School History and Geography Teacher

Adult Education Teacher

1963

Education Officer in Africa

University of East Africa Instructor in Adult Education Department for seven years

1967

Began reviewing work of Charles Wedemeyer, because of his interest in providing

knowledge via radio to those in East Africa

1969

Began graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Research Assistant for Charles Wedemeyer

EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies - 314500054

1972

Published first distance education theory The Theory of Independent Teaching and
Learning

1973

Received Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin Madison

Relocated to Canada as an Assistant Professor for three years at St. Francis Xavier
University in Nova Scotia

1977

Returned to UK to work in academic and managerial roles at the Open University for
eight years

1983

Transactional Distance Theory name is applied to his 1972 distance education theory

1985

Responsible for the First Annual Distance Education Conference is held in Madison,
Wisconsin

Relocated back to the states and began working as Professor of Education for
Pennsylvania State University (PSU) in the Department of Learning and Performance
Systems

1986

Established The American Center for Study of Distance Education

1987

Established first distance education journal: The American Journal of Distance

Education

1988

Responsible for organization of the first American research symposium on distance

education

19881992

Vice President-International Council for Distance Education (ICDE)

1990

Created first on-line network in distance education; Distance Education Online

EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies - 314500054

Symposium (DEOS) Established first distance education graduate courses

1992

April 7: Distance Education and Corporate Training Seminar at Ford Motor

Corporation

1996

Consultant at World Bank

2002

Inducted into the United States Learning Associations Hall of Fame

2003

Published Handbook of Distance Education

2007

Published Handbook of Distance Education, 2nd Edition

2008

Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge Visiting Professor at the

Open University

2009

Keynote Address for 25th Anniversary of The Annual Conference on Distance

Teaching and Learning

Research
Transactional Distance Theory (TDT)
Michael G. Moore developed the concept of Transactional Distance Theory. In Moore's view,
TDT focuses more on pedagogy than on geography: before this idea was advanced, distance
education definitions were focused on the physical separation between the learner and the
teacher.
There are three key variables to consider regarding transactional distance: structure, dialogue,
learner autonomy. Structure is determined by the actual design of the course, the organization of
the instruction, and the use of various media of communications. There are also different forms
of dialogue: two-way, real-time communication versus dialogue internalized within the student.
Finally, learner autonomy depends upon the individual learner's sense of personal responsibility
and self-directedness. Depending on the individuals involved, the interaction of these elements
can be very different and vary greatly along the continuum. For example, high levels of learner

EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies - 314500054

autonomy would necessitate lower levels of teacher control. An instructional situation is

considered more distant if there are lesser amounts of dialogue among the participants and less
structure. For less distant situations, the converse is true.[6]
Publications[7]
Dr. Moore's publications are numerous. Below are just a few from recent years.

Year of
Publication

Description

2005

Moore, M.G. & G. Kearsley. Distance Education: a Systems View. Second

Edition. Belmont, Ca. Wadsworth Publishing Company

2005

Foreword in: Bonk,C. and C. Graham. Handbook of Blended Learning

Environments: Global Perspectives, Local Designs. San Francisco Ca, Pfeiffer
Publishing.

2005

Michael G. Moore, Kay Shattuck and Aisha Al-Harthi. Cultures meeting

cultures in online distance education. Journal of e-Learning and Knowledge
Society. Milan, The Italian e-Learning Association Journal, Issue 1 - No. 2 September

2005

La educacion a distancia en los Estados Unidos: estado de la cuestion. In: Master

International en e-Learning:aplicacion de las TIC en educacion y la formacion.
Barcelona. Universidad Oberta Catalania

2006

Using New Technologies in Open and Distance Learning. (2006, Dec.) Open
Education Research. Vol.12 No.6 pp 16-20

2006

Professional development, graduate study and research. In Tulloch, M., S. Relf

and P. Uys (Ed.), Breaking Down Boundaries: International Experience in Open,
Distance and Flexible Learning. (46-56). Bathurst, NSW, Australia: Open and

EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies - 314500054

Distance Learning Association.

2007

Moore, M.G. (Ed). The Handbook of Distance Education. Second Edition.

Mahwah, N.J. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

2007

The Theory of Transactional Distance. In M.G.Moore (Ed.) (2007) The

Handbook of Distance Education. Second Edition. Mahwah, N.J. Lawrence
Erlbaum Associates. Pp. 89- 108

2007

Critical Minds for a Change. In Burge, E.J. (Ed.) (2007) Flexible higher
education: Reflections from Expert Experiences. pp 120-126. Open University
Press/McGraw Hill Education.

2007

Foreword to: Dron, J. Control and Constraint in E-Learning: Choosing When to

Choose. Hershey, Pa. Information Science Publishing

2007

The Theories and the Theorists: Why Theory is Important for Research
Distances et Savoirs Vol 5/3 pp.427-457

2009

The Bottles are New but what of the Wine? Managing Learning and Teaching in
Web 2.0. In Bernath, U., Szcs, A., Tait, A, and M. Vidal: Distance and Elearning in Transition Learning Innovation, Technology and Social Challenges.
Published by ISTE and Wiley.

2010

The Time Factor in e-Learning. In B.Gros, E Barbera & P. Kirshner (2010). Time
factor in e-learning. eLC Research Paper Series, 0,1-32. Barcelona, eLearn
Center, UOC 2012 Moore, M.G., & G. Kearsley. Distance Education: A Systems
View, 3rd Edition. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth.

2012

Moore, M.G. (Edit). The Handbook of Distance Education. Third Edition. New
York. Routledge.

2012

Continuing education and distance education: a marriage of convenience The

University of the Fraser Valley Research Review volume 4 : issue 3 (Winter,

EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies - 314500054

2012/2013) 1-15

References

1.

Jump up^ Saba, F. (2014, March 23). Introduction to Distance Education:

Theorists and Theories Michael G. Moore. Retrieved February 15, 2015,
from http://distance-educator.com/introduction-to-distance-education-theorists-andtheories-michael-g-moore

2.

Jump up^ Moore, M. (n.d.). Theory of Transactional Distance. Retrieved

February 16, 2015, from http://www.c3l.unioldenburg.de/cde/support/readings/moore93.pdf

3.

Jump up^ WikiEdProfessional DE Concepts/Michael Moore. (n.d.). Retrieved

February 18, 2015,
from http://wikieducator.org/WikiEdProfessional_DE_Concepts/Michael_Moore

4.

Jump up^ WikiEdProfessional DE Concepts/Michael Moore. (n.d.). Retrieved

February 18, 2015,
from http://wikieducator.org/WikiEdProfessional_DE_Concepts/Michael_Moore

5.

Jump up^ Moore, M. (n.d.). Michael Grahame Moore. Retrieved February 13,
2015, from http://www.ed.psu.edu/faculty-cvs/n0g.pdf

6.

Jump up^ http://cde.athabascau.ca/cmc/transactional.html Transactional

Distance Theory Michael G. Moore developed the concept of Transactional Distance
Theory

10

EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies - 314500054

7.

Jump up^ Moore, M. (n.d.). Michael Grahame Moore. Retrieved February 13,
2015, from http://www.ed.psu.edu/faculty-cvs/n0g.pdf

11

EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies - 314500054

12

References

Burge, E. (Ed.). (2007, January 1). Flexible Higher Education. Retrieved February 18, 2015,
From https://books.google.com.ag/books?
id=e8tEBgAAQBAJ&pg=PR14&lpg=PR14&dq=Michael Grahame Moore
wife&source=bl&ots=AtJpbe_il_&sig=YlBxijFpCNLuWxVPfZbEns1U5c4&hl=en&sa=
X&ei=zs7iVMDnGsPIsQS494KYBg&ved=0CEoQ6AEwDQ#v=onepage&q=Michael
Grahame Moore wife&f=false
Michael G. Moore | News KSU. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13, 2015, from
http://news.ksu.edu.sa/en/taxonomy/term/2479
Moore, M. (n.d.). Michael Grahame Moore. Retrieved February 13, 2015, from
http://www.ed.psu.edu/faculty-cvs/n0g.pdf
Moore, M. (n.d.). The CMC Resources Site - Transactional Distance Theory.
Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://cde.athabascau.ca/cmc/transactional.html
Padilla, A. (2011, April 25). Michael G. Moore - Learning Theories ETC547 Spring 2011.
Retrieved February 15, 2015, from https://sites.google.com/a/nau.edu/learning-theoriesetc547-spring-2011/theorist/michael-g-moore
Saba, F. (2014, March 23). Introduction to Distance Education: Theorists and Theories Michael
G. Moore. Retrieved February 15, 2015, from http://distance-educator.com/introductionto-distance-education-theorists-and-theories-michael-g-moore
Technology Day 2011. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2015, from
http://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/techday/moore.jsp

WikiEdProfessional DE Concepts/Michael Moore. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2015, from

http://wikieducator.org/WikiEdProfessional_DE_Concepts/Michael_Moore

EDID 6503: Instructional Design Theories, Models & Strategies - 314500054

13