You are here:

Learners' Perspectives on what is Missing from Online Learning: Interpretations through the Community of Inquiry Framework
ARTICLE

, University of Ottawa ; , University of Alberta ; , University of Ottawa

IRRODL Volume 7, Number 3, ISSN 1492-3831 Publisher: Athabasca University Press

Full Text

Abstract

Despite the success that instructors and learners often enjoy with online university courses, learners have also reported that they miss face-to-face contact when learning online. The purpose of this inquiry was to identify learners’ perceptions of what is missing from online learning and provide recommendations for how we can continue to innovate and improve the online learning experience. The inquiry was qualitative in nature and conducted from a constructivist perspective. Ten learners who had indicated that they missed and/or would have liked more face-to-face contact following their participation in an online course were interviewed to elicit responses that would provide insights into what it is they miss about face-to-face contact when learning online. Five themes emerged: robustness of online dialogue, spontaneity and improvisation, perceiving and being perceived by the other, getting to know others, and learning to be an online learner. Garrison and colleagues’ (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2000) community of inquiry framework was used to interpret the findings.

Citation

Stodel, E., Thompson, T. & MacDonald, C. (2006). Learners' Perspectives on what is Missing from Online Learning: Interpretations through the Community of Inquiry Framework. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 7(3),. Athabasca University Press. Retrieved August 31, 2024 from .

Keywords

References

View References & Citations Map
  1. Anagnostopoulos, D., Basmadjian, K.G., & McCrory, R.S. (2005). The decentered teacher and the construction of social space in the virtual classroom. Teachers College Record, 107(8), 1699-1729.
  2. Anderson, T. (2004). Teaching in an online learning context. In T. Anderson& F. Elloumi (Eds.) Theory and practice of online learning (pp. 273-294). Athabasca, AB.: Athabasca
  3. Anderson, T., Rourke, L., Garrison, D.R., & Archer, W. (2001). Assessing teaching presence in a computer conferencing context. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 5(2), 1-17.
  4. Aragon, S.R. (2003). Creating social presence in online environments. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 100, 57-68.
  5. Argyle, M., & Dean, J. (1965). Eye contact, distance, and affiliation. Sociometry, 28(3), 289-304.
  6. Berge, Z.L., & Collins, M.P. (Eds.) (1995). Computer Mediated Communication and the Online Classroom Vol. III. Distance learning. Cresskill, NJ.: Hampton Press.
  7. Bibeau, S. (2001). Social Presence, Isolation, and Connectedness in Online Teaching and Learning. From the literature to real life. Journal of Instruction Delivery Systems, 15(3), 35-39.
  8. Bogdan, R.C., & Biklen, S.K. (1998). Qualitative research for education (3rd Ed.) Toronto: Allyn & Bacon. Boyd, D. (2006, March 9-6). G/localization: When global information and local interaction collide. Paper presented at the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference. Retrieved August 1, 2006 from: http://www.danah.org/papers/Etech2006.html
  9. Burge, E.J., & Haughey, M (2001). Using Learning Technologies: International perspectives on practice. London: Routledge Falmer.
  10. Cavallo, D. (2000). Emergent Design and Learning Environments: Building on indigenous knowledge. IBM Systems Journal, 39(3 & 4). Retrieved August 11, 2004 from: http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/sj/393/part2/cavallo.html
  11. DeBard, R., & Guidera, S. (2000). Adapting asynchronous communication to meet the seven principles of effective teaching. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 28(3), 219230.
  12. Dewey, J. (1933). How we think. Boston: DC Heath.
  13. Eggins, S., & Slade, D. (1997). Analyzing casual conversation. Washington, DC.: Cassell.
  14. Garrison, D.R. (2006). Online community of inquiry update: Social, cognitive, and teaching presence issues. Unpublished paper. Retrieved May 17, 2006 from: http://communitiesofinquiry.com/sub/papers.html
  15. Garrison, D.R., & Anderson, T. (2000). Transforming and Enhancing University Teaching: Stronger and weaker technological influences. In T. Evans& D. Nation (Eds.) Changing University Teaching: Reflections on creating educational technologies (pp. 24-33).
  16. Garrison, D.R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2001). Critical thinking, cognitive presence, and computer conferencing in distance education. American Journal of Distance Education 15(1), 7-23.
  17. Garrison, D.R., & Cleveland-Innes, M. (2005). Facilitating Cognitive Presence in Online Learning: Interaction is not enough. American Journal of Distance Education, 19(3), 133-148.
  18. Garrison, D.R., Cleveland-Innes, M., Koole, M., & Kappelman, J. (2006). Revisiting Methodological Issues in the Analysis of Transcripts: Negotiated coding and reliability. Internet and Higher Education, 9(1), 1-8.
  19. Haythornthwaite, C., Kazmer, M.M., Robins, J., & Shoemaker, S. (2004). Community development among distance learners: Temporal and technological dimensions. In C. Haythornthwaite& M.M. Kazmer (Eds.) Learning, culture and community in online education: Research and practice (pp. 35-57). New York: Peter Lang.
  20. Hiltz, R.S. (1988). Learning in a Virtual Classroom: Final evaluation report 25. Newark, NJ.: Computerized Conferencing and Communications Center.
  21. Idhe, D. (2004). A phenomenology of technics. In D.M. Kaplan (Ed.) Readings in the philosophy of technology (pp. 137-159). Lanham, MD.: Rowman & Littlefield.
  22. Kanuka, H., Collett, D., & Caswell, C. (2002). University instructor perceptions of the use of asynchronous text-based discussion in distance education courses. American Journal of Distance Education, 16(3), 151-167.
  23. Levy, P. (2003). A methodological framework for practice-based research in networked learning. Instructional Science, 31(1-2), 87-109.
  24. Lobry de Bruyn, L. (2004). Monitoring Online Communication: Can the development of convergence and social presence indicate an interactive learning environment? Distance Education, 25(1), 67-81.
  25. MacDonald, C.J., Stodel, E.J., Farres, L.G., Breithaupt, K., & Gabriel, M.A. (2001). The Demand-Driven Learning Model: A framework for web-based learning. Internet and Higher Education, 1(4), 9-30.
  26. MacDonald, C.J. & Thompson, T-L. (2005). Structure, Content, Delivery, Service, and Outcomes: Quality e-Learning in higher education. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 6(2). Retrieved May 17, 2005 from: http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/237/321 McConnell, D. (2002). The experience of collaborative assessment in e-learning. Studies in Continuing Education, 23(1), 73-92.
  27. Merriam, S.B. (1998). Qualitative research and case study applications in education. San Francisco, CA.: Jossey-Bass.
  28. Muilenburg, L.Y., & Berge, Z.L. (2001). Barriers to Distance Education: A factor-analytic study. American Journal of Distance Education, 15(2), 7-22.
  29. Rogers, P., & Lea, M. (2005). Social Presence in Distributed Group Environments: The role of social identity. Behaviour and Information Technology, 24(2), 151-158.
  30. Rourke, L., Anderson, T., Garrison, D.R., & Archer, W. (1999). Assessing social presence in asynchronous text-based computer conferencing. Journal of Distance Education, 14(2). Retrieved February 10, 2006 from: http://cade.athabascau.ca/vol14.2/rourke_et_al.html
  31. Rourke, L., & Anderson, T. (2002). Using peer teams to lead online discussions. Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 1, 1-21.
  32. Rovai, A.P. (2002). Building sense of community at a distance. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 3(1). Retrieved May 17, 2006 from: http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/79/153 Rovai, A.P. (2003). A practical framework for evaluating online distance education programs. Internet and Higher Education, 6(2), 109-124.
  33. Russo, T.C., & Campbell, S.W. (2004). Perceptions of Mediated Presence in an Asynchronous Online Course: Interplay of communication behaviours and medium. Distance Education, 25(2), 215-232.
  34. Salmon, G. (2000). E-moderating: The key to teaching and learning online. London: Kogan Page.
  35. Schwandt, T.A. (1994). Constructivist, interpretivist approach to human inquiry. In N.K. Denzin & Y.S. Lincoln (Eds.) Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 118-137). Thousand Oaks,
  36. Shin, N. (2002). Beyond Interaction: The relational construct of ‘Transactional Presence.' Open Learning, 17(2), 121-137.
  37. Short, J., Williams, E., & Christie, B. (1976). The social psychology of telecommunications. Toronto, ON.: Wiley.
  38. Song, L., Singleton, E.S., Hill, J.R., & Koh, M.H. (2004). Improving online learning: Student perceptions of useful and challenging characteristics. Internet and Higher Education, 7(1), 59-70.
  39. Stroupe, C. (2003). Making Distance Presence: The compositional voice in online learning. Computers and Composition, 20, 255-275.
  40. Thomas, M.J.W. (2002). Learning within incoherent structures: The space of online discussion forums. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 18(3), 351-366.
  41. Tu, C-H., & McIsaac, M. (2002). The relationship of social presence and interaction in online classes. American Journal of Distance Education, 16(3), 131-150.
  42. Wang, A.Y., & Hewlin, M.H. (2001, August). Online Lectures: Benefits for the virtual classroom. T.H.E. Journal. Retrieved April 14, 2006 from: http://www.thejournal.com/articles/15513 Wiener, M., & Mehrabian, A. (1968). Language within Language: Immediacy, a channel in verbal communication. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.

These references have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. Signed in users can suggest corrections to these mistakes.

Suggest Corrections to References

Cited By

View References & Citations Map

These links are based on references which have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. If you see a mistake, please contact info@learntechlib.org.

Links

Also Read

Related Collections