scholarly journals Measures of Quality in Online Education: An Investigation of the Community of Inquiry Model and the Net Generation

2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Shea ◽  
Temi Bidjerano

The goal of this article is to present and validate an instrument that reflects the Community of Inquiry Model (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2000, 2001) and inquire into whether the instrument and the model it reflects explain variation in levels of student learning and satisfaction with online courses in a higher education context. Additionally this study sought to examine the effects of two other variables—age and students' registration status—on levels of satisfaction and learning in online courses. The issue of age and the “net generation” has generated considerable interest recently with a number of contradictory predictions made for younger students engaged in text-based, technology-mediated learning environments. Previous research indicates that student registration status serves as a relatively reliable predictor of commitment to degree and likely persistence in higher education (Horn & Neville, 2006)—does commitment to degree predict satisfaction and likely persistence with online learning in the same manner? We sought to inquire into the amount of variance these variables predict relative to constructs in the Community of Inquiry Framework. Results indicated that the instrument provides a coherent factor structure that reflects the Community of Inquiry Model. Other findings provide new insight into additional variables that account for variation in students' satisfaction, reported learning, and cognitive presence in text-based, asynchronous online environments.

Author(s):  
Swapna Kumar ◽  
Kara Dawson ◽  
Erik W Black ◽  
Catherine Cavanaugh ◽  
Christopher D Sessums

The community of inquiry (CoI) framework has commonly been used to study teaching and learning in online courses (Garrison, Anderson, &amp; Archer 2000). This paper describes the implementation of the CoI framework in a cohort-based online EdD program, where teaching presence and cognitive presence were easier to foster than social presence. Based on the results of an initial evaluation, suggestions are made to expand the components of the CoI framework when using it at a program level. Lessons learned from the implementation are also shared to assist others wishing to apply the CoI framework to online graduate programs. <br /><br />


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Arbaugh

The purpose of this paper is to report on the results of a study that examines whether the CoI dimensions of social, teaching and cognitive presence distinctively exist in e-learning environments. The rest of the paper is organized as follows. First, I will briefly review recent studies on the dimensions of this framework: social, cognitive, and teaching presence. Second, I discuss the development of the sample of MBA students in online courses over a two-year period at a Midwestern U.S. university and the items used to measure the CoI dimensions. Next, I will describe the results of an exploratory factor analysis, including an interpretation of the emerging factors. Finally, I will discuss how these findings relate to conclusions presented in Garrison’s review of recent research related to the CoI and present some possible directions for future research.


2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Ice ◽  
Angela M. Gibson ◽  
Wally Boston ◽  
Dave Becher

Though online enrollments continue to accelerate at a rapid pace, there is significant concern over student retention. With drop rates significantly higher than in face-to-face classes it is imperative that online providers develop an understanding of factors that lead students to disenroll. This study examines course-level disenrollment through the lens of student satisfaction with the projection of Teaching, Social and Cognitive Presence. In comparing the highest and lowest disenrollment quartiles of all courses at American Public University the value of effective Instructional Design and Organization, and initiation of the Triggering Event phase of Cognitive Presence were found to be significant predictors of student satisfaction in the lowest disenrollment quartile. For the highest disenrollment quartile, the lack of follow-through vis-à-vis Facilitation of Discourse and Cognitive Integration were found to be negative predictors of student satisfaction.


2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zehra Akyol ◽  
D. Randy Garrison

The purpose of this study was to explore the dynamics of an online educational experience through the lens of the Community of Inquiry framework. Transcript analysis of online discussion postings and the Community of Inquiry survey were applied in order to understand the progression and integration of each of the Community of Inquiry presences. The results indicated significant change in teaching and social presence categories over time. Moreover, survey results yielded significant relationships among teaching presence, cognitive presence and social presence, and students’ perceived learning and satisfaction in the course.


Author(s):  
Beth Rubin ◽  
Ronald Fernandes

<p>This article examines the effects of teaching behaviors in online university classes, focusing on the agreement among class members. Literature on group leaders’ effects on group agreement about workplace climate is reviewed. Hypotheses are generated about the effects that teachers of online courses, as class leaders, have on both the level and agreement about the community of inquiry. They are tested with a sample of 874 students in 126 online courses. The aggregate class level and strength of agreement about the teaching presence have significant effects on the level and agreement about cognitive presence and social presence. Although the aggregate levels and agreement about community of inquiry are related, different patterns emerge.</p><p>The paper explores the interaction effects of level and agreement, finding that in classes with high levels of teaching presence, the higher the agreement about teaching presence, the higher the agreement about cognitive and social presence especially for classes reporting stronger levels of cognitive and social presence. In classes with lower levels of teaching presence, agreement has a different effect.</p>


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Marcie M. Cutsinger

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the level of instructor presence in the predominately online versus the predominately not online course. The increase in both the number of students enrolling on online courses and the number of courses/programs offered magnifies the need to address instructor presence. This case study considers students' perception of instructor presence in a predominately online and predominately not online course. Instructor presence was examined using the Community of Inquiry framework. The Community of Inquiry is a framework used to examine social, teaching and cognitive presence and the impact of such. Data was gathered from two courses in the different learning modalities. Students were enrolled in the courses at the same time with the same instructor. Statistical analysis utilized in this study included the Mann Whitney U, Spearman's rho and Kendall tau. A significance level of P less than (.05) was used for all tests. This research found no statistically significant difference in the levels of instructor presence in a predominately online course when compared to a predominately not online course. The two significant results in relation to instructor presence and course satisfaction were mixed. Course outcome and instructor presence are addressed with discussion and recommendations for further research included. This study contributes to the research by providing further data regarding students' perception of and the significance of instructor presence.


Author(s):  
Hueyzher Ng ◽  
Sakina Sofia Baharom

The demand for online programmes is continuously increasing at varying degrees, with the major appeal coming from adult learners whom are managing with the numerous demands from other work and life domains. These adult learners have their own varied expectations from the online learning process. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the degree to which other predictors contribute to adult learners’ satisfaction in online learning environment. A mixed-methods design was used, selecting both quantitative methods (utilizing survey research) and qualitative methods (employing open-ended questionnaire items), gathering the feedback of 200 adult learners whom comprises of secondary school teachers and college level teachers, enrolled in professional online courses. The online courses were designed using a problem-centered and case-based approach to learning and utilized technologies including learning management system (LMS) such as Moodle as well as functions from the LMS.  The results showed that the items such as learner-content interaction, self-regulated learning design, and Internet self-efficacy were good predictors of students’ satisfaction. Implications of these findings for higher education in providing blended or online programmes for adult learners are also discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Baldwin ◽  
Jesus H. Trespalacios

Chickering and Gamson’s (1987) Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education offers extensively researched and validated tenets for best practices in higher education. After a review of the literature, twenty-eight evaluation instruments currently used to design and review online courses in higher education institutions were collected and divided into categories, based on geographical reach and the type of institution for which they were developed. This study investigates how evaluation instruments used in higher education assess the Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education, and what other items are addressed in the evaluation of courses. Findings show that national and statewide evaluation instruments were less institute specific and more closely aligned to the principles of good practice, and that evaluation instruments often measure extraneous items (e.g., student services, navigation, resources, or institutional support). Additional findings and conclusions based on the analysis of the instruments are discussed.


Author(s):  
Whitney Kilgore ◽  
Patrick R. Lowenthal

The Human Element Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the Canvas open network was designed to be a connectivist experience exploring methods for the humanization of online education. This MOOC introduced and discussed methods that faculty could adopt in order to potentially increase instructor presence, social presence, and cognitive presence within their own online courses. The design of the MOOC and the learners' perceptions of social presence after taking part in this MOOC are discussed in this chapter.


2016 ◽  
pp. 1736-1755
Author(s):  
Whitney Kilgore ◽  
Patrick R. Lowenthal

The Human Element Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on the Canvas open network was designed to be a connectivist experience exploring methods for the humanization of online education. This MOOC introduced and discussed methods that faculty could adopt in order to potentially increase instructor presence, social presence, and cognitive presence within their own online courses. The design of the MOOC and the learners' perceptions of social presence after taking part in this MOOC are discussed in this chapter.


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