Building a Community of Inquiry for Effective Online Learning – Introduction

In this episode, Rob and Jared introduce their series on online learning through the Community of Inquiry framework. Contact us at [email protected] with any questions. You can also visit our blog at cedarville.edu/focusblog for additional resources. We would love to get your feedback! Please fill out our survey to help improve our podcast and serve you better.

Online learning involves a structured learning environment; activities; and interactions between instructors, students, and content. Instructors can use the Community of Inquiry (COI) educational framework to help them develop effective online education. COI’s primary goal is to create a deep and meaningful learning experience.

In the COI framework, there are three presences:

• Cognitive presence – the extent to which learners construct and validate understanding. Its aim is to build understanding and construct knowledge through social negotiation and critical thinking. 
• Social presence – the ability to identify with the learning community. Social presence is involved with creating a climate of trust, open communication, group cohesion, and interpersonal relationships.
• Teaching presence – the design, facilitation, and direction of cognitive and social presence. Teaching presence is the GPS on the road trip, guiding and correcting as needed. It involves the instructor being active and present in the online learning community.

Each of these presences work together to create a robust learning environment. When used effectively, COI can help students feel connected to content, fellow students, and instructor.

Resources 

COI Framework