On face value this seemed like a simple task. Not as easy a task as I supposed.
Interactions occur when objects and events mutually influence each other.
She goes on to suggest that an instructional interaction is an event that takes place between a learner and the learner's environment. I have to argue with the mutual influence as you will soon see. BUT it has become the mantra of distance education. They need to be awake to learn - we have research on this for sure. Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction suggests we have to have the learner's attention if they are to assimilate any information into their short term, working or long term memories.