Examining experiences of online learners using student services: a community of inquiry study

Burgess, Stacey (2016) Examining experiences of online learners using student services: a community of inquiry study. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Much of our understanding of the online learning experience is based on research focused on in-classroom involvement despite considerable research that suggests student retention and persistence is also influenced by non-classroom experiences. Research on the impact of student affairs and services (SAS) on online learning experiences, although growing, remains limited. This study investigates the impact of student support services on the experiences of online community college learners using the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework. Cited more than 3000 times in educational literature, this framework defines a worthwhile educational experience as the interplay of three key elements: cognitive presence, social presence and teaching presence. The current study uses the CoI framework to examine out-of-classroom interactions. Using a mixed method approach, quantitative findings show no statistically significant relationships between the CoI presences and student support services. However, analysis of qualitative data reveals insight on the impact of student support services on teaching and social presence.

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