Mechanism for Promoting Motivation, Confidence, and Autonomy through Synchronic Communication Sessions in Virtual Learning Environments.

This study presents a mechanism which explains the effect of synchronous communication on students’ perception of the training process in virtual learning methodology used in a postgraduate programme at the University of Santander. We use System Dynamics to design a mechanism that integrates motivation, confidence, trust, and autonomy in students. The results suggest that this mechanism explains why teachers should interact with students to motivate them. Key words: Mechanism, motivation, teacher immediacy.