Community Of Inquiry Research Articles

Sustainability of Fully Online and Rapidly Growing EdD Programs: Using Student Demographics to Improve Program Outcomes

The phenomena of small Doctor of Education (EdD) cohorts and in-person communities of inquiry have been replaced by larger scale, fully online programs. Faculty must engage in deep reflection on their new realities to ensure that their curricular, programmatic, and other practices are evidence-based and developed to account for diverse factors guiding students’ academic performance, motivation, and career aspirations. The current study utilized descriptive research to provide a comprehensive description of educational phenomena. The study was conducted at a large, public research university in the southern United States. A total of 316 students enrolled in an online program were invited to complete the survey, of which 131 responses were analyzed. Results revealed statistically significant differences in students’ attitudes based on their academic level and master’s degree focus. Further, students were more likely to benefit from their online EdD programs based on motivation, self-efficacy, and interest in professional development opportunities. The most notable implications of this research stem from the discovery that online EdD program outcomes can be significantly moderated by student demographic and background variables. The findings offer practical recommendations for all EdD programs challenged with navigating the three phenomena becoming the norm in EdD education in the US – increased enrollments, student diversity, and online modality.

I will get my job: moderated and mediation model of students' perceived employability in post-pandemic era

PurposeThe current study investigates the factors influencing graduates’ perceived employability by utilizing the stimulus-organism-response theory, in the post pandemic era.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach was employed to examine the hypotheses of the research framework through partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) on the SmartPLS software.FindingsThe result indicates that course structure has a positive effect on students’ grit and community of inquiry (CoI). Also, students’ grit and CoI have a positive relationship with students’ performance, while students’ performance has a positive relationship with perceived employability. Moreover, students’ grit, CoI and students’ performance sequentially mediated course structure and perceived employability, whereas readiness and self-directed learning strengthen the relationship between students’ performance and perceived employability.Originality/valueThe findings will benefit university management, government and potential employers on how confident the student is in the chances of a future career after graduating from a higher institution.

A Review of the Impact and Challenges of Hikmah Pedagogy in Teaching and Learning Environment

Implementing an effective pedagogy that can enhance students' critical thinking, reasoning abilities, decision-making skills, and problem-solving capabilities is a key educational objective in the 21st century. This necessitates a shift from rote learning to interactive and meaningful learning experiences. Hikmah pedagogy, derived from Philosophy for Children (P4C), is an innovative approach that equips students with the essential skills for thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and caring, all while incorporating Islamic values through the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework. Hikmah pedagogy adopts an infusion approach, fostering curiosity and promoting qualities such as critical thinking, open-mindedness, tolerance, and respect for others when exploring diverse perspectives. Research has demonstrated that the implementation of Hikmah pedagogy positively impacts teaching and learning across various subjects and educational levels. Hence, this review aims to assess the effects of Hikmah pedagogy on teaching and learning, as well as the challenges associated with its implementation. A total of 18 peer-reviewed articles were purposefully selected and analyzed using systematic content analysis (SLR). The findings indicate that Hikmah pedagogy enhances students' higher-order thinking skills (HOTs), critical thinking and reasoning abilities, open-mindedness, and communication skills. Additionally, the review highlights the importance of interactive stimuli, inquiry-based classroom management, and student engagement within the community of inquiry. Based on this evidence, educators are encouraged to incorporate Hikmah pedagogy as an effective teaching tool to cultivate students' thinking skills and moral development.

The influence of self- and co-regulation on the community of inquiry for collaborative online learning: an ODeL context

PurposeThis paper aimed to determine the self- and co-regulation influences on the community of inquiry (CoI) for collaborative online learning.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative survey was used on a sample of (N = 626) enrolled postgraduate students in a South African Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) university. The measuring instruments were the CoI and the shared metacognitive surveys. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the association and influence of self- and co-regulation on the CoI.FindingsThe results indicated that self- and co-regulation related to the CoI (teaching, cognitive and social) presences. In addition, the results revealed that self- and co-regulation influence the CoI presences. Self-regulation had the highest influence on teaching and cognitive presence, while co-regulation influenced social presence.Research limitations/implicationsThe study’s convenience sampling method from a single university limited the applicability of the findings to other online learning environments.Practical implicationsHigher educational teachers who encourage student self- and co-regulation may enhance their online teaching, cognitive and social presence when studying online. The research’s findings may be valuable to teachers to enable them to provide a more collaborative and interactive online learning environment and promote productive online communities.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the body of knowledge about the relationship between teaching, social and cognitive presence and self- and co-regulation within the CoI framework. Furthermore, there has also been limited research focussing on the dynamics of shared metacognition within the CoI framework in an ODeL context.

An extended community of inquiry framework supporting students in online and digital education

ABSTRACT In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, universities across the world were forced to move from a classroom-based delivery model to an online learning model which heavily disrupted the learning process for students. Despite proactive efforts for academic staff to embrace online teaching tools and techniques, the pressing urgency with which solutions were implemented raised concerns about the competence of academic staff to deliver online education effectively, the capabilities of digital tools and technologies required for different topics, and the quality of students’ learning experiences. Within a university postgraduate setting, this research adopts the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework to explore the social presence, teaching presence, and cognitive presence as essential elements facilitating the educational experiences of 100 students within an online learning environment. The findings expand current literature by proposing a revised CoI framework, the Digital Community of Inquiry Framework, to highlight an additional need, that of ‘self-presence’.

“How is social media used for learning?”: relationships between social media use by medical students with their self-regulated learning skills

BackgroundSocial media is widely used by medical students, including for learning purposes since it facilitates their involvement in the communities of inquiry where they can share, express, and engage in the development of knowledge. Navigating the use of social media requires self-regulated learning (SRL) skills. Hence, studies on the relationships between social media use and SRL skills are necessary.AimThis study aims to investigate the relationships between social media use and students’ SRL skills.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using two validated questionnaires: the Social Networking Sites for Medical Education questionnaire (SNSME, 19 items) and the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ, 81 items). Cross-cultural adaptation and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were also completed for the SNSME questionnaire, followed by descriptive and bivariate analysis.Results and discussionThe SNSME questionnaire is valid for use in the current setting and consists of three subscales: (1) attitudes towards the use of social media for learning and knowledge development, (2) the use of social media for information sharing and interaction, and (3) the use of social media for knowledge development and research. Among 1,122 respondents, male students presented lower scores than female students in the total score of social media for learning (80 vs. 82, p 0.007), and public medical students showed higher scores in terms of attitudes towards the use of social media for learning and knowledge development compared to private medical students (83 vs. 81, p 0.007). The differences in SRL scores for different education stages and among students from public and private medical schools were statistically significant (426 vs. 418, p 0.003, and 436 vs. 418, p < 0.001, respectively). Levels of correlation between social media use and SRL scores were low to moderate (R 0.195–0.462, p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe adapted SNSME questionnaire in the current setting is valid and the use of social media for learning is influenced by gender and the learning environment. This study highlights the importance of supporting students in using social media for learning purposes as well as using social media as a means to increase their SRL skills.

Addressing gaps in equity: a review of best practices in multi-campus learning to enhance teaching, social and cognitive presence

Evaluating student learning experience in multi-campus classes is an excellent way to improve course design and delivery by educators. The community of inquiry (CoI) framework by Garrison, et al, 2000 was converted into a survey tool by Arbaugh, et al, 2008. The Community of Inquiry Online Survey Tool (COST) is an online implementation that was developed by Sielmann, et al, 2022. COST is intended to be a fast and convenient way of identifying inequity between cohorts. The research question motivating this work is: “In scenarios where a divergence in perceived student experience exists between cohorts in multi-campus courses, what specific pedagogical best practices aligned with deficiencies in student perceived CoI presence can aid in achieving greater equity between cohorts in student experience?” A systematic literature search was conducted. Sources of gaps in equity across cohorts were identified. Pedagogical best practice statements that can be incorporated into COST were synthesized.

Instructor Leadership in Online Learning: Predictive Relationships Between Servant Leadership and the Community of Inquiry Framework

Instructor leadership is widely recognized as essential for facilitating meaningful online learning in higher education. While previous studies have applied organizational leadership theories to the study of instructor leadership, fewer studies have investigated online instructor leadership. This predictive correlational study detailed the associations between the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework and servant leadership (SL) theory and employed multiple regression analyses to investigate the predictive relationships of seven SL dimensions on the three CoI presences. Survey data were gathered from 148 graduate students enrolled in online courses in education, communication, and engineering master’s degree programs using the CoI Survey (Arbaugh et al., 2008) and the SL-28 (Liden at al., 2008). The findings revealed a positive and highly significant correlation between the instruments. The predictive model as a whole explained 66% of the variance in students’ perceptions of a CoI. Three SL predictor variables demonstrated the most influence: helping subordinates grow and succeed, conceptual skills, and creating value for the community. Additional analyses at the CoI subscale level revealed that the SL variables accounted for 73% of the variance in teaching presence, 55% of the variance in cognitive presence, and 31% of the variance in social presence. Implications and limitations are discussed and recommendations are proposed to implement online instructor SL.

Opportunities and Challenges in Using the “Community of Inquiry” Model in Teaching Ethics

Philosophy for children (P4C) is an area that has experienced impressive growth in recent decades, proving to be a highly valuable resource in children's development. Studies demonstrate its significant impact on the development of logical thinking, critical reasoning, imagination, and fostering openness to dialogue and collaboration. While there are various perspectives and methods in the field of philosophy for children, a common element among them all is the centrality of the concept of dialogue. P4C serves as a paradigmatic example of what dialogical education represents. The underlying assumption of this paper is that the specific practices of philosophy for children provide valuable methods and perspectives that can be useful in teaching ethics in communication and ethics in general, particularly for students without prior training in philosophy. Recognizing the potential challenges and the need for context-specific adaptation, this paper seeks to illustrate how the integration of the models used in P4C practices, such as the communities of inquiry, into communication ethics education, can provide a promising and innovative approach to fostering ethical and critical thinking in students.

A Wittgensteinian Perspective on the Multidimensionality of Truth in the Community of Philosophical Inquiry

A Wittgensteinian Perspective on the Multidimensionality of Truth in the Community of Philosophical Inquiry

Artful Community Inquiry

Artful Community Inquiry

A Blended Interpretation Teaching Strategy based on the Theory of Community of Inquiry

A Blended Interpretation Teaching Strategy based on the Theory of Community of Inquiry

소크라테스 대화법 관련 교육연구 현황 분석

Objectives This study aims to analyze the current state of educational research related to the Socratic Dialogue method, particularly in the context of the upcoming implementation of the revised 2022 curriculum.&#x0D; Methods The study involved analyzing 130 scholarly articles and thesis related to the Socratic method in education, published between 2015 and December 2022. Initially, the research classified by the types of studies according to school grades and research methods to analyze their current state. For a more comprehensive analysis, the study further categorized research types based on content, examining the status of applied subjects, research topics, and the use of literature and models.&#x0D; Results Firstly, the research types were predominantly literature studies. In particular, literature studies were prevalent in joint or elementary and high school-targeted research, while quantitative studies were common for early childhood and qualitative studies for middle school. Secondly, out of 130 studies related to the Socratic method, 72 were classified as basic research, mainly focusing on ‘general education’ and ‘moral’ subjects. In practical research, ‘moral’ and ‘philosophy’ subjects were commonly applied, especially ‘philosophical (community of inquiry activities)’ for early childhood education. Thirdly, upon reviewing the literature and models used in the research, basic research most frequently utilized ‘Dialogues’, focusing on educational implications like ‘teaching methods’⋅’teacher's role’⋅‘educational objectives’⋅‘content’. They emphasized educational objectives such as ‘truth-seeking’⋅‘knowledge’⋅‘unity of knowledge and action’⋅‘wisdom’, using key concepts from the ‘Dialogues’ and frequently analyzing the Elenchos method of Socratic dialogue. In practical research, over 50% reported results from conducting philosophical inquiry community activities.&#x0D; Conclusions This study is significant as it reviews the current state of educational research related to the Socratic method since the 2015 curriculum revision, in anticipation of the implementation of the revised 2022 curriculum (in 2024). It provides foundational research material for the qualitative improvement of subsequent studies and suggests future directions.&#x0D;

Anatomizing online collaborative inquiry using directional epistemic network analysis and trajectory tracking

AbstractAccurate assessment and effective feedback are crucial for cultivating learners' abilities of collaborative problem‐solving and critical thinking in online inquiry‐based discussions. Based on quantitative content analysis (QCA), there has been a methodological evolvement from descriptive statistics to sequential mining and to network analysis for mining coded discourse data. Epistemic network analysis (ENA) has recently gained increasing recognition for modelling and visualizing the temporal characteristics of online discussions. However, due to methodological restraints, some valuable information regarding online discussion dynamics remains unexplained, including the directionality of connections between theoretical indicators and the trajectory of thinking development. Guided by the community of inquiry (CoI) model, this study extended generic ENA by incorporating directional connections and stanza‐based trajectory tracking. By examining the proposed extensions with discussion data of an online learning course, this study first verified that the extensions are comparable with QCA, indicating acceptable assessment validity. Then, the directional ENA revealed that two‐way connections between CoI indicators could vary over time and across groups, reflecting different discussion strategies. Furthermore, trajectory tracking effectively detected and visualized the fine‐grained progression of thinking. At the end, we summarize several research and practical implications of the ENA extensions for assessing the learning process.Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Assessment and feedback are crucial for cultivating collaborative problem‐solving and critical thinking in online inquiry‐based discussions. Cognitive presence is an important construct describing the progression of thinking in online inquiry‐based discussions. Epistemic network analysis is gaining increasing recognition for modelling the temporal characteristics of online inquiries. What this paper adds Directional connections between discourses can reflect different online discussion strategies of groups and individuals. A pair of connected discourses coded with the community of inquiry model can have different meanings depending on their temporal order. A trajectory tracking approach can uncover the fine‐grained progression of thinking in online inquiry‐based discussions. Implications for practice and/or policy Besides the occurrences of individual discourses, examining the meanings of directional co‐occurrences of discourses in online discussions is worthwhile. Groups and individuals can employ different discussion strategies and follow diverse paths to thought development. Developmental assessment is crucial for understanding how participants achieve specific outcomes and providing adaptive feedback.

Connected Art Practice: Transformative Learning Environments for Transdisciplinary Competences

This article explores the implementation of Connected Art Practice in diverse learning environments, serving as an immersive entry point for students and researchers to develop collaborative transdisciplinary skills. This innovative approach integrates audio, educational, and sustainability research, employing sound-interaction methods applied to tangible objects. Participants engage in exploring the interplay between objects representing interests or values, fostering the creation of a visual and linguistic network of interconnectedness. Inspired by artistic research, particularly Dérive, the practice provides experiences of connectedness to others and the environment, intertwined with reflections and discussions that foster a community of inquiry. This community collaboratively designs shared practices or projects, encouraging a holistic approach to transformative learning, addressing heterogeneity, complexity, authenticity, critical awareness, and emotional connectedness. All three case studies utilized qualitative analysis in artistic and academic settings. Datasets were collected in case study two from group discussion, participant observation, press releases and documentary photographs. In case studies one and three, audio–visual recordings, participant observation, field notes, and photo-documentation were collected. This study demonstrates that “Connected Art Practice” enhances competences in artistic expression, communication, and collaboration across disciplinary, social, and cultural boundaries. Specifically, it contributes to creative reinvention, personal sharing, self-reflection, and the capacity to co-design diverse projects. The paper concludes by discussing findings and pointing out the essential qualities of Connected Art, providing insights and resources for educational and research institutions seeking to foster transdisciplinary engagement and transformative learning in their curricular activities.

Leaning Into Difficult Topics: Inquiry Communities as Teacher Professional Learning for Turbulent Times

Although teachers make frequent decisions about whether and how to address difficult topics, they typically do so with minimal support. This article reports a case study of an inquiry community of 20 educators who engaged in practitioner inquiry as professional learning for addressing the difficult topics that they teach within their curricula or otherwise encounter within their professional practices. Through an inductive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 12 community participants, the article’s authors identified four themes characterizing how the inquiry community supported teachers to lean into the difficult topics they believed they needed to address. The community helped teachers define difficult-topics inquiry while connecting them across divergent political and professional perspectives. The community assisted teachers in engaging difficult topics through purposefully structured inquiry talk, and it prompted them to (re)conceptualize difficult-topics teaching as inquiry. The article demonstrates the potential of difficult-topics inquiry communities as professional learning for turbulent times.

Exploring Health Science Students' Experiences of Learning Management Systems: Through the Lens of the Community of Inquiry Framework

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; The digital revolution in education, particularly in higher education, has led to the widespread adoption of online learning platforms like Learning Management Systems (LMS). The Faculty of Health at Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani Yogyakarta has embraced this trend, employing Moodle for blended learning. However, there has been a lack of formal evaluation of students' experiences with the LMS. This research aims to fill this gap by comprehensively evaluating the user experience and learning experience of students within the Faculty of Health using the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework. The study collected data from 201 respondents and analyzed their experiences across various CoI domains. Results indicated positive perceptions of teaching presence, social presence, and cognitive presence, with teaching presence scoring the highest. However, social presence remained the lowest aspect, highlighting the need for more personalized engagement on the LMS. While the study identified areas for improvement, it also underscored the LMS's potential in modern learning and its role in enhancing the flexibility of higher education. Further research was recommended to address the study's limitations and continue improving online learning experiences on the LMS.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

The Impact of Social Presence on Online Student Engagement

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to explore the impact of social presence on online student engagement.&#x0D; Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.&#x0D; Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the impact of social presence on online student engagement. Preliminary empirical review revealed that the vital role of social presence in online education. It confirms that a strong sense of social presence fosters a connected and engaged online learning community, impacting both cognitive and affective aspects of student engagement. Effective course design, drawing upon theoretical frameworks, and intentional efforts by instructors contribute to enhancing social presence and, consequently, improving the overall online student engagement experience.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), Community of Inquiry (CoI) Framework and Transactional Distance Theory (TDT) may be used to anchor future studies on online student engagement. To enhance online student engagement in the context of the study, several key recommendations emerge. Educators should actively promote social interaction within online courses, provide clear expectations and guidelines, incorporate synchronous interactions, implement peer interaction and feedback mechanisms, leverage technology tools for social engagement, offer timely and supportive feedback, monitor and assess social presence, and invest in professional development opportunities for instructors. By following these recommendations, instructors and institutions can create a more interactive and engaging online learning environment, fostering a strong sense of social presence and ultimately improving the overall educational experience for online students.

Community of Inquiry: Designing Quality Online Instruction for Special Educator Preparation

Online education programs are on the rise and institutions of higher learning are utilizing Learning Management Systems (LMS) to facilitate online learning. The Community of Inquiry (CoI; Garrison et al., 1999) framework identifies three categories of cognitive presence, social presence, and teaching presence to guide the development of online instruction and has been adopted by numerous institutions of higher learning. This article identifies instructional strategies conducive to the design of online presence using the CoI framework to ensure quality learning experiences in online special educator preparation programs. We address some of the features of LMS system tools present in Canvas that are utilized by instructors when designing and implementing online instruction to include: communications, modules and assignments, collaboration, and grading.

Technostress in students and quality of online learning: role of instructor and university support

Online learning provides flexibility and convenience to students, however, it also presents various challenges, such as technostress. Technostress is the psychological discomfort or stress experienced by individuals due to the use of technology, particularly when they cannot cope with its demands. Students’ technostress levels can have a negative impact on their online learning experiences. Drawing from the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework, the study investigates the moderating impact of instructor and university support on technostress and the quality of online learning relationship in university students. Data were collected from 392 university students taking one or more online courses. Results reveal that technostress has a negative impact on the quality of online learning. However, this negative impact is mitigated in the presence of support from the instructor and the university separately and jointly. The study makes an important contribution to the growing body of knowledge by identifying instructor support and university support as important contributors to the communities of inquiry in an online educational setting.