Abstract:

The Distance Education (DE) requires competency development to a more independent, interactive and flexible learning, as well as adaptation of available resources on Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This study correlates the competence training in the use of mediation tools with learning theories. The methodological process is constituted by the stages of planning, implementation and evaluation of a semi-distance course - linked to the Educational Development Program - PDE, the State Department of Education of Paraná - SEED / Brazil. The course used interactive tools (forum), instructional contente tools (downloadable file) and evaluation tools (tasks). The research is descriptive and it is based on learning theories. For data collection a rubric was elaborated to assess the skills developed during the course, and then interviews were performed to extract the perception of participants about learning the use of each tool. From the data analysis, there is a reflection about which are the contributions of the learning theories and how they are related with learning tools in DE. The guiding question was: what theoretical current is the basis of the instruments used in a virtual learning environment? Most course participants reported that their learning was due to the execution of tasks, when they were able to search and reinterpretate the material consolidating their learning. It adds that acquired skills to perform reading, organize ideas and content to participate in the debates - a fact that required greater interpretation abilities. In all mediation tools observed we noted the correlation with the learning theories.

Keywords:

Distance education, Competence development, Learning theories, Virtual mediation instruments.