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I currently do not teach; however, I based my Community of Inquiry (CoI) strategies on the course I would like to teach in the future. The course, titled Global Citizenship, is delivered in a hybrid modality. This course examines social justice topics, while exploring concepts like social responsibility.
The CoI framework is where students through the interaction of social, cognitive and teaching presence achieve higher order learning by engaging in reflective practice and critical thinking and discourse (Garrison, Anderson & Archer, 2000). The CoI framework can be used to offer approaches that will support teaching and learning in both face-to-face and online delivery.
Social presence is central to the learning environment for the hybrid course. This course utilizes group work that is mainly online or out of class time and topics are explored where there may be diverse, conflicting perspectives and worldviews. Modeling respectful and upbeat behaviour on and offline as the facilitator plays a key role in establishing social presence (Vaughan, Cleveland-Innes & Garrison, 2013). Additionally, establishing group norms, as well as creating opportunities for students to get to know each other prior to being in groups, are important for the facilitation of critical conversations in a hybrid environment.
In considering the cognitive presence, students should be encouraged to think critically about concepts and engage in self-reflection. Vaughan et al. (2013) states that “opportunity for increased interaction, timely reflection, and continuous debate…provides a very supportive environment for inquiry dynamics.” (p. 55). To facilitate an exchange of information and knowledge, students can be asked open-ended questions, these questions encourage students to think critically independently and spur discussion in groups (Richardson, 2018). Moreover, students as knowledge holders of their own experiences, can be prompted to explore relevant topics of personal interest and to bring forward new sources to share with peers, becoming central to the process of knowledge construction and curation within the class.
Lastly, the teaching presence is integral to a hybrid course, especially one with a degree of subjectivity. Students are highly encouraged to share their experiences both in class and online. Providing clear instructions for the course direction and expectations is important to the student experience as they navigate a hybrid modality (Vaughan et al., 2013). Moreover, providing foundational resources to anchor student understanding within the topics while offering guidance and direction when introducing new topics. Also, to encourage engagement timely feedback for learning activities, such as discussion boards and assignments will be essential (University of Waterloo, n.d.). In aspiring to teach tin a hybrid course, the COI framework can be leveraged through social, cognitive and teaching presence, to foster a quality learning experience.
References
Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2000). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education model. The Internet and Higher Education, 2(2-3), pp. 87-105. Retrieved from http://cde.athabascau.ca/coi_site/documents/Garrison_Anderson_Archer_Critical_Inquiry_model.pdf
Richardson J. (2018). Varying your discussion prompts as an instructional strategy (PDF), Purdue Repository for Online Teaching and Learning. Retrieved from https://www.purdue.edu/innovativelearning/supporting-instruction/portal/files/8.1_Varying_your_Discussion_Prompts_as_an_Instructional_Strategy.pdf
University of Waterloo. (n.d.). Online Discussions: Tips for Instructors. Retrieved from https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/alternatives-lecturing/discussions/online-discussions-tips-for-instructors
Vaughan, N. D., Cleveland-Innes, M., & Garrison, D. R. (2013). Teaching in blended learning environments: Creating and sustaining communities of inquiry. Athabasca University Press. Chapter 3: Facilitation (pp. 45-61). Retrieved from https://www.aupress.ca/books/120229-teaching-in-blended-learning-environments/
September 14, 2020 at 5:20 pm
Hi Sanjay – Great Infographic clearing identifying COI! In your blog post you discuss cognitive presence and students as knowledge holders who construct and curate knowledge in the learning environment (Pottinger, 2020). That’s a very important point because facilitators advise and guide students to help them construct new knowledge. Garrison, Anderson & Archer (2001), linked cognitive presence with the practical inquiry model. This model highlights how the facilitator leads the learners through the process of constructing knowledge by providing a triggering event, allowing learners to explore their current knowledge and seek new knowledge, reflect on their learning and through discourse determine a resolution or construct new knowledge. As you have pointed out, the facilitator plays a critical role in the learning environment.
References
Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2001). Critical thinking and computer conferencing: A model and tool to assess cognitive presence. American Journal of Distance Education, 15(1), 7−23. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251400380_Critical_Thinking_and_Computer_Conferencing_A_Model_and_Tool_to_Assess_Cognitive_Presence/stats
Pottinger, S. (2020, September 6) Assignment 1: Community of Inquiry Framework [Blog Post], Retrieved from: https://malat-webspace.royalroads.ca/rru0117/assignment-1-community-of-inquiry/
September 16, 2020 at 5:13 pm
Thank you for your comments, Caroline. I appreciate your feedback on my infographic and further making the connections between the learner and emphasizing the importance of the facilitator serving as a guide. – Sanjay