Interacting to learn and learning to interact in online environments

Our age is characterized by ubiquitous use of social technology and communication means. This may represent a favourable scenario for formal and informal learning, because interaction and collaboration with peers are broadly recognized in the literature to favour the acquisition and organization of new knowledge, as well as to stimulate cognitive development. Some questions, however, are in order: under what conditions does interaction actually proves beneficial for teaching and learning? How can we foster the development of valuable interaction skills? Based on meaningful examples from the literature and from the author's own research experience, this presentation develops a reflection on the relation between interaction and learning, highlighting the potential support granted by different types of tools and settings, and analysing constructs, like social presence in online environments, that can contribute to develop efficacious interaction skills.