Using the Community of Inquiry Framework Survey for Multi-Level Institutional Evaluation and Continuous Quality Improvement
Abstract: Though several models seek to explain the online learning process, the one that has gained the most attention is the Community of Inquiry Framework (CoI). Originally conceptualized by Garrison, Anderson and Archer (2000), the CoI is a process model that describes collaborative, constructivist online learning as being a function of the intersection of three presences: teaching, social and cognitive. In 2007, the CoI was operationalized as a survey instrument and validated, on a multi-institutional basis, by eight researchers in the United States and Canada (Arbaugh et al, 2008). Following three semesters of beta testing, American Public University System (APUS) began utilizing the CoI survey, plus four additional items, as the end of course survey. The process encompasses a broad range of analyses across Schools, Programs, Courses, and Instructors. Additionally, survey data is used to assess the efficacy of Instructional Design trends, Technology implementations and Retention patterns.