Michael G. Moore’s Transactional Distance Theory (TDT) is one of the major theories in the field of distance education. The most influential contribution of the theory would be the transition of researchers’ foci from physical and geographical dis...
Michael G. Moore’s Transactional Distance Theory (TDT) is one of the major theories in the field of distance education. The most influential contribution of the theory would be the transition of researchers’ foci from physical and geographical distance to psychological and pedagogical distance, ‘transactional distance.’ The definitions and explanations of main concepts such as transaction and dialogue, however, are too brief or vague, which has been a barrier for consistent and productive discussion in the following studies. This study attempts to articulate the concepts of transaction and dialogue. To the end, it discusses, firstly, Deweyan concept of transaction that TDT is based on. Secondly, it expands and redefines TDT’s another main concept, dialogue from the perspective of Bakhtinian dialogism, Thirdly, the relationship between them is explored, and, finally, its implications on TDT are followed as a conclusion.