Creating a Community of Learning in a Master’s level

Christian Communication Course Online

Kelly Elander, Ph.D., Asst. Professor of Communication, Harding University

IntroductionCreating a sense of learning community inan online course is crucial for at least three reasons: 1. It helps learners better engage in the course. 2. It creates a richer, more compelling learning

experience for the learners. 3. It sets the stage for a community of practice.

1. It helps learners better engage in the course.

Research and practice have identified two important theoretical tools for improving learning at a distance. 1. Moore’s Transactional Distance Theory

(Elander, 2015) 2. Community of Inquiry model (Anderson,

Rourke, Garrison, & Archer, 2001; Elander, 2015).

Figure 1. Recently Revised Community of Inquiry Model (2.0)

Recent revisions to the COI model have added an emotional presence. This diagram also shows the model with emotional dimension as well as the sources that promote each dimension (Anderson, 2014; Cleveland-Innes & Campbell, 2012; Elander, 2015; Elander, 2016; Rienties & Rivers, 2014; and Sorensen, 2004).

Figure 2. VoiceThread™ Video Feedback Tool

This tool permits instructors, when accessing learner assignments in their LMS, to click an option using this third-party app to record very personal, human video feedback using their computer webcam and mic.

2. It creates a richer, more compelling learning experience for the learners.

Collaborative synergy can be manifested in at least two ways. 1. Emotional cohesiveness 2. Pooled team skills and creativity.

Figure 3. Re-Conceptualization of the COI Model (2.1)

This new re-conceptualization of the COI model (2.1) shifts from spheres of presence to quadrants and scales of measure suggesting another version of the original three phase COI model (Anderson, Rourke, Garrison, & Archer, 2001) and the recently revised four phase version (Anderson, 2014; Cleveland-Innes & Campbell, 2012; Elander, 2015; Elander, 2016; Rienties & Rivers, 2014; and Sorensen, 2004).

Table 1 Some Free Synchronous Video Conferencing Tools

Online Video Conference Tool Number of Participants

www.join.me/video Up to 5 people

Google Hangouts Up to 10 people

www.oovoo.com Up to 12 people

www.skype.com Up to 25 people

If everyone involved has a web cam you can use free video conferencing tools.

3. It sets the stage for a community of practice.

Part of connecting the learner to a community of practice would entail • instructor comments, and references to industry resources and tools, • creating authentic tasks or problems, and• bringing established professionals into the classroom online.

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Kelly Elander has a B.S. in Communication from Ohio University, a Master's in adult instruction and performance technology from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in instructional design for online learning from Capella University. He currently coordinates the web design and interactive media program at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.