scholarly journals DEVELOPING LEARNING COMMUNITY IN ONLINE ASYNCHRONOUS COLLEGE COURSES: THE ROLE OF TEACHING PRESENCE

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Shea ◽  
Chun Sau Li ◽  
Karen Swan ◽  
Alexandra Pickett
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Teaching Presence ◽  
College Level ◽  
Online Learning Community ◽  
Online Learning Environments

This paper builds on the model we have developed for creating quality online learning environments for higher education. In that model we argue that college-level online learning needs to reflect what we know about learning in general, what we understand about learning in higher-education contexts, and our emerging knowledge of learning in largely asynchronous online environments. Components of the model include a focus on learner roles, knowledge building, assessment, community, and various forms of “presence.” In this paper we focus on two components—teaching presence and community—and review the rationale and benefits for an emphasis on community in online learning environments. We argue that learning is social in nature and that online learning environments can be designed to reflect and leverage the social nature of learning. We suggest that previous research points to the critical role that community can play in building and sustaining productive learning and that teaching presence, defined as the core roles of the online instructor, is among the most promising mechanism for developing online learning community. We present a multi-institutional study of 2,036 students across thirty-two different colleges that supports this claim and provides insight into the relationship between online learning community and teaching presence. Factor and regression analysis indicate a significant link between students’ sense oflearning community and their recognition of effective instructional design and directed facilitation on the part of their course instructors—and that student gender plays a small role in sense of learning community. We conclude with recommendations for online course design, pedagogy, and future research.

Applying Grounded Conversation Design to Instruction

2008 ◽  
pp. 203-217
Author(s):  
Rocci Luppicini
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Online Learning Community ◽  
Online Learning Environments ◽  
The Social ◽  
Conversation Theory

A grounded conversation design approach is posited as a way to study complex conversational processes within online learning environments. This approach is applied to online learning contexts to leverage conversation quality and learning. Study I examines conversations emerging within an online learning community created within an undergraduate class to critically discuss research. Study II applied conversational protocols derived from study I within an undergraduate online editorial board simulation intended to generate critical discourse. The chapter suggests how basic grounded conversation techniques can be applied in a variety of online learning environments to study conversation and develop grounded conversation theory within the context of online learning. Grounded conversation design is based on the assumption that conversation is situated and grounded within the social contexts from which it emerges.

Ensuring Presence in Online Learning Environments

2016 ◽  
pp. 350-376
Author(s):  
Eunice Luyegu
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Community Of Inquiry ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Cognitive Presence ◽  
Teaching Presence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Online Learning Environments

Online learning in higher education has rapidly grown in recent years and has become the norm. However, pedagogical aspects on online learning environments are still developing. This chapter focuses on one foundational aspect of online and blended learning known as presence. First, the concept of presence in online learning is described i.e. teaching presence, social presence, and cognitive presence. Secondly, strategies for ensuring presence are discussed from different angles: course design, course instructors and course facilitators, and course participants. Thirdly, the implications for future research are outlined. This chapter enhances the research on the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework a useful guide to the design of learning experiences that support learners' critical reflection and engagement within collaborative online learning environments.

scholarly journals A FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF “TEACHING PRESENCE” IN THE SUNY LEARNING NETWORK

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Shea ◽  
Alexandra M. , Pickett ◽  
William E. Pelz
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Faculty Development ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Teaching Presence ◽  
Asynchronous Learning ◽  
Online Learning Environments ◽  
Learning Network

This paper is a follow-up study to a preliminary investigation of teaching presence in the State University of New York Learning Network (SLN). In the present studywe review ongoing issues of pedagogy and faculty development, and their relationship to student satisfaction, and reported learning in SLN. We provide an overview of the SLN program,and summarize a conceptual framework for our current research on higher education, online learning environments. This framework integrates research on how people learn, with principles of good practice in higher education and recent research on learning in asynchronous learning networks (ALNs) in higher education. We also present resultsof a follow-up study on one aspect of the model, “Teaching Presence”.The SUNY Learning Network is a proud recipient of two Sloan-C Awards, the 2001 Award for Excellence in ALN Faculty Development and the 2002 Award for Excellence in ALN Programming. We believe that it is no coincidence that SLN was recognized in this order; that is to say, we feel our efforts to create a systematic faculty development program has allowed us to create an outstanding program of online courses and degrees. A clear vision regarding the prerequisites for a high quality online learning environment, especially prerequisites related to faculty development, is essential to building effective ALN programs. As this special edition of JALN is dedicated to such efforts we would like to focus on our model for learning environments design and share results of research on specific aspects of the model. In past studies we have argued that student-faculty and student-student interaction are among the variables most strongly correlated with student satisfaction and reported learning. In the present study, we focus on one aspect of our model for online learning environments and examine interaction more deeply. Building upon the work of Anderson and colleagues we examine the kinds of activities that comprise and sustain productive interaction. These researchers have categorized interactions that occur in asynchronous learning environments that encourage knowledge creation and identify online behaviors and processes that approximate (and may improve upon) those that occur in face-to-face settings. We look at a key element of their work, “teaching presence,” and present results of a follow-upstudy examining students’ perceptions of this constellation of online faculty behaviors. We also identify the components of teaching presence that correlate most highly with student satisfaction and reported learning.

Online Learning and Metacognition

2020 ◽  
pp. 310-331
Author(s):  
Geraldine Torrisi-Steele
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Instructional Design ◽  
Student Success ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Great Emphasis ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Online Learning Environments ◽  
Metacognitive Scaffolding

Online learning experiences are becoming the norm for an increasing number of higher education students. Although there are clear advantages to online learning in terms of flexibility and access, many students struggle to succeed, especially in purely online learning environments. To a large extent student success in online learning environments is dependent on students' ability to self-regulate and ‘learn for themselves'- both abilities related to academic metacognition. Unfortunately, even at university, many students do not have well developed metacognition. It is therefore important to consider carefully metacognitive scaffolding in the design of online learning experiences. However, the models of instructional design commonly used in online learning tend not to place great emphasis on the importance of metacognitive scaffolding. The aim of the present chapter is therefore to increase awareness of metacognition, as one of the important considerations in the design of online learning environments that can help to maximize chances of student success. Towards this end, a framework of instructional design that is more sensitive to metacognition is developed.

Electronic Classroom, Electronic Community

2010 ◽  
pp. 439-456
Author(s):  
Lisa Harris
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Online Learning Environments ◽  
Electronic Classroom ◽  
Electronic Community ◽  
Quality Learning ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
The Relationship

The capacity for online learning environments to provide good quality learning experiences for students has been the focus of speculation and debate in the higher education sector from the late 1990s to the present day. In this area, “quality” has become synonymous with engaging students in a learning community. This chapter reports on a qualitative research project designed to explore the significance of community for students studying online. Using three fundamentally different types of online learning environments as case studies, this research explored the relationship between the constructed online learning environment and the development of learning communities or what the author has termed social learning support networks (SLSN). Exploring the common themes to emerge from these three case studies, this research provides new evidence of the benefit of community for students studying online and argues that future online learning environments should be shaped by five key principles designed to foster a sense of social connection between students.

Online Learning and Metacognition

2016 ◽  
pp. 221-241
Author(s):  
Geraldine Torrisi-Steele
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Instructional Design ◽  
Student Success ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Great Emphasis ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Online Learning Environments ◽  
Metacognitive Scaffolding

Online learning experiences are becoming the norm for an increasing number of higher education students. Although there are clear advantages to online learning in terms of flexibility and access, many students struggle to succeed, especially in purely online learning environments. To a large extent student success in online learning environments is dependent on students' ability to self-regulate and ‘learn for themselves'- both abilities related to academic metacognition. Unfortunately, even at university, many students do not have well developed metacognition. It is therefore important to consider carefully metacognitive scaffolding in the design of online learning experiences. However, the models of instructional design commonly used in online learning tend not to place great emphasis on the importance of metacognitive scaffolding. The aim of the present chapter is therefore to increase awareness of metacognition, as one of the important considerations in the design of online learning environments that can help to maximize chances of student success. Towards this end, a framework of instructional design that is more sensitive to metacognition is developed.

We'll Leave the Light on for You

2011 ◽  
pp. 64-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Paz Dennen ◽  
Curtis J. Bonk
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Online Learners ◽  
Online Learning Environments ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Collaborative Tools ◽  
Effective Pedagogy ◽  
Online Tools

Motivating online learners is a key challenge facing instructors in both higher education and corporate settings. Attrition rates and low participation levels in course activities are frequent instructor complaints about online learning environments. Part of the problem is a lack of sophistication in online tools and courseware (Bonk & Dennen, 1999). Added to this problem is that, even when tools exist for engaging and motivating students, instructors lack training in how to effectively use them. Instructors not only need to know the types of online and collaborative tools for engaging students, but also how to embed effective pedagogy when the technologies are weak.

We'll Leave the Light on for You

2011 ◽  
pp. 704-715
Author(s):  
Vanessa Paz Dennen ◽  
Curtis J. Bonk
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Online Learners ◽  
Online Learning Environments ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Collaborative Tools ◽  
Effective Pedagogy ◽  
Online Tools

Motivating online learners is a key challenge facing instructors in both higher education and corporate settings. Attrition rates and low participation levels in course activities are frequent instructor complaints about online learning environments. Part of the problem is a lack of sophistication in online tools and courseware (Bonk & Dennen, 1999). Added to this problem is that, even when tools exist for engaging and motivating students, instructors lack training in how to effectively use them. Instructors not only need to know the types of online and collaborative tools for engaging students, but also how to embed effective pedagogy when the technologies are weak.

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