Research Guides: Essential Learning Theories & Frameworks in IDT: Transactional Distance Theory

Transactional Distance Theory

Classified as a distance education theory, this theory addresses the pedagogical aspects of teaching and learning in distance education.

Developed by Dr. Michael G. Moore.

Transactional Distance Theory: Resources

Moore, M. G., & Diehl, W. C. (2019). The theory of transactional distance. In Handbook of Distance Education (4th ed., pp. 32–46). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315296135-4

Moore, M. G., & Kearsley, G. (2012). Distance education: A systems view of online learning (3rd ed.). Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Moore, M. G., & Keegan, D. (1993). Theory of transactional distance. In Theoretical principles of distance education (1st ed., pp. 22–38). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203983065-4

Bergman, M., & Wickersham-Fish, L. E. (2023). Strategies for transforming student reflection in online learning environments: Transactional distance theory literature review. Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 24(4), 23–27.

Chen L. (2023). Transactional distance and college students' learning engagement in online learning: The chain mediating role of social presence and autonomous motivation. Psychology research and behavior management, 16, 2085–2101. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S409294

Paul, R. C., Swart, W., & MacLeod, K. R. (2022). A scale for measuring relative proximity of transactional distance. Distance Education, 43(1), 78–96. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2021.2020623

Roach, V. A., & Attardi, S. M. (2022). Twelve tips for applying Moore’s theory of transactional distance to optimize online teaching. Medical Teacher, 44(8), 859–865. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2021.1913279