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The purpose of this infographic was to illustrate how a COI framework can be utilized to enhance EVO within the workplace. As a team leader, one of my responsibilities involves facilitating the onboarding process. Onboarding remote employees has proven to be a challenging aspect of this role.
Statement of Problem
Employees are dissatisfied with onboarding due to information overload and monotonous training, resulting in reduced engagement and delayed job application. The absence of a structured onboarding system impedes information access and time management. Employees also seek interactive content and feedback opportunities to share onboarding experiences and suggest improvements.
Research & Recommendations
Community of inquiry (COI) is a framework that guides effective online learning, where community members collaborate to derive meaning from the course content (Garrison et al., 1999). To address virtual onboarding challenges, adopting the COI framework can create an efficient online learning experience by applying strategies across its interconnected components.
1. Cognitive presence refers to the ability of community members to collectively construct shared values through ongoing communication, crucial for fostering critical thinking in the learning process (Garrison et al., 1999).
- Triggering Events: Begin onboarding with captivating content like videos or interactive simulations to spark employee interest in their new role and the company.
- Exploration: Promote independent resource exploration and offer e-learning modules with discussion forums for questions, discussions, reflections, and responses (Boettcher, 2019).
- Integration: Foster critical thinking through group discussions that connect past experiences to the new role.
- Resolution: Provide opportunities for employees to demonstrate their understanding through guided work scenarios and receive feedback.
2. Social presence indicates the ability of learners in a COI to express their full personalities and be authentic individuals (Lalonde, 2020).
- Icebreakers: Facilitate colleague connections and community building with virtual team-building activities (Bull, 2013).
- Peer Learning: Pair mentors or buddy employees with new hires for enhanced support and connection.
- Video Conferencing: Lead live video meetings for employees, leaders, and expert interactions, including introductions and Q&A sessions.
3. Teaching presence denotes “the design, facilitation and direction of cognitive and social processes for the purpose of realizing personally meaningful and educationally worthwhile learning outcomes” (Anderson et al., 2001, p.5).
- Content Organization: Offer a structured onboarding process with logical learning modules for easy navigation and information retrieval.
- Facilitation: Capable of leading employees through onboarding, addressing inquiries, and fostering a knowledge-building community (Anderson et al., 2001).
- Feedback and Assessment: Regularly assess employees progress through peer review, provide feedback to enhance understanding, encourage reflection, and identify areas requiring additional support (Vaughan et al., 2013).
Conclusion
By integrating these strategies within the COI framework to EVO, as a facilitator, you can create an interactive online learning environment that fosters active participation, teamwork, and meaningful outcomes. This approach prepares employees for new responsibilities and strengthens their connection to the organization.
References
Anderson, T., Rourke, L., Garrison, R., & Archer, W. (2001). Assessing teaching presence in a computer conferencing context. Online Learning, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v5i2.1875
Boettcher, J. V. (2019). Ten best practices for teaching online. Designing for Learning. http://designingforlearning.info/writing/ten-best-practices-for-teaching-online/
Bull, B. (2013, June 3). Eight roles of an effective online teacher. Faculty Focus. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/eight-roles-of-an-effective-online-teacher/
Garrison, D. Randy., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (1999). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education. The Internet and Higher Education, 2(2-3), 87–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1096-7516(00)00016-6
Lalonde, C. (2020). Facilitation in a community of inquiry [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Nv1bUZv5PLs
Vaughan, N. D., Cleveland-Innes, M., & Garrison, D. R. (2013). Facilitation. In Teaching in blended learning environments (pp. 45–61). Athabasca University Press. https://read.aupress.ca/read/teaching-in-blended-learning-environments/section/43261c4a-6d4c-44cf-8c7f-60bc306eb03a
Great infographic, Megan! I really like the format, structure and flow from start to finish. For the COI and social presence, I noted that you have connected new employees with mentors and provided opportunities for Q+A/introductions. I know for the purpose of the assignment we are applying the COI, but do you think that in the current state of the EVO a lack of social presence contributes to the ineffectiveness of the onboarding? Do you see this project as an opportunity to improve the program?
Thanks- G
Hi Gill,
Thanks for your feedback and questions! Yes, I think that a lack of social presence plays a role in the onboarding’s ineffectiveness. Onboarding is the first learning experience for new employees. When they do not experience a sense of connection and engagement in a virtual setting, it can impact onboarding’s effectiveness, affecting their sense of belonging, role clarity, self-efficacy, or motivation to learn. Thus, I do see this project as an opportunity to improve the program.
Thanks,
Megan
Thanks, Megan- It’s awesome that you can see this as an opportunity outside the project and I agree that if the onboarding is flat and without connection, it can contribute to a person not being motivated in the role. When people don’t feel invested in, they tend to leave and without a personal connection, there is nothing that really ties them to the role. Thanks again!
An informative infographic Megan!
I liked your incorporation of a problem statement, which led to the strategies.
For your teaching presence category, what do you think would work best to facilitate a community? If you were participating in this experience, what do you think would be most effective?
Hi Terry,
Thanks for your feedback and questions! According to Vaughan et al (2013), facilitation is the core of a COI, managing the intersections of the three presences. Based on my experience, I also find that good facilitation is effective and is the centre for cultivating a workplace community. When it comes to adult learners, facilitation minimizes the need for intimidating direct instruction, fostering better engagement. Facilitation is the preferred approach as long as learners are progressing toward their learning goals. It offers greater flexibility in learning and enhances both social and cognitive presence.
Thanks,
Megan
Employee virtual onboarding remains challenging within a corporate environment. Megan, this infographic contains excellent information on how to circumvent the loss of time management through the steps provided by the CoI (Community of Inquiry).
Thanks, Rod!