Hi Mike,
Wow, this Genius hour sounds like a wonderful way to have students involved in their own inquiry-based learning projects !!
I often find that students are initially challenged to identify the key questions for their inquiry.
I’m curious about how others begin the inquiry process in their educational workplace?
Take care, Norm
P.S. Here is a short article from David Jardine on this topic 
Jardine, D. W. (2010). On the nature of inquiry: Choosing a topic. Galileo Educational Network. Available online at: http://galileo.org/teachers/designing-learning/articles/choosing-a-topic/
Hi Lilian and Rob,
Great comments – I too believe that teaching presence is the “glue” or “connective tissue” for the CoI framework!!
And, we must remember that the focus is on “teaching” not “teacher” presence – as the roles and responsibilities must be shared by all participants in a Community of Inquiry
I love how the Maori people use the word “ako” to represent teaching presence!!
Te Kete Ipurangi (2013). The concept of ako. Available online at http://tereomaori.tki.org.nz/Curriculum-guidelines/Teaching-and-learning-te-reo-Maori/Aspects-of-planning/The-concept-of-ako
I’m curious to know how people are currently using this concept of teaching presence in their educational workplaces?
Norm
Hi Everyone,
Rob, is going to be our online discussion moderator this week and he has created the following three questions to help frame our discussion:
1. Why is the COI an important part of blended learning?
2. The COI framework is made of three elements social presence, cognitive presence, and teaching presence. How would you implement these elements in your practice and design of learning materials?
3. Thinking about the last question (#2) can you briefly talk about an online/distance/blended learning course that you have taken that fully incorporates these elements or if yourself have developed and taught courses using a COI framework. What did learn about the experience and what would you do differently?
All the best, Norm
Hi Everyone,
Rob, is going to be our online discussion moderator this week and he has created the following three questions to help frame our discussion:
1. Why is the COI an important part of blended learning?
2. The COI framework is made of three elements social presence, cognitive presence, and teaching presence. How would you implement these elements in your practice and design of learning materials?
3. Thinking about the last question (#2) can you briefly talk about an online/distance/blended learning course that you have taken that fully incorporates these elements or if yourself have developed and taught courses using a COI framework. What did learn about the experience and what would you do differently?
All the best, Norm
Welcome to to our first follow-up discussion from our Introductory CoI webinar !!
Marti, Randy, and I would like to continue the discussion about:
1. Your previous experiences with the CoI framework?
2. Your future plans or ideas about using the framework in your teaching and research practice?
Looking forward to sharing ideas, resources, and questions
Norm Vaughan
Welcome to to our first follow-up discussion from our Introductory CoI webinar !!
Marti, Randy, and I would like to continue the discussion about:
1. Your previous experiences with the CoI framework?
2. Your future plans or ideas about using the framework in your teaching and research practice?
Looking forward to sharing ideas, resources, and questions
Norm Vaughan
Hi Everyone,
Please take a moment to share your initial thoughts and insights regarding the following 3 questions:
1. What is your definition of blended learning?
2. What do you think are the opportunities of a blended approach to learning?
3. What are some of the challenges with blended learning?
4. How do you think you could apply a blended approach in your school, workplace, and/or institution? Looking forward to reading your responses!!
Take care, Norm
Welcome to our discussion forum on how the CoI framework is being put in practice in various education environments. I am particularly interested in how the concept of teaching presence is being operationalized in courses and programs. In our upcoming book on Teaching in Blended Learning Environments: Creating and Sustaining Communities of Inquiry we describe seven teaching presence principles:
1. Plan for the creation of open communication and trust.
2. Plan for critical reflection and discourse.
3. Establish community and cohesion.
4. Establish inquiry dynamics (purposeful inquiry).
5. Sustain respect and responsibility.
6. Sustain inquiry that moves to resolution.
7. Ensure assessment is congruent with intended processes and outcomes.
What are your thoughts on these seven principles?
Can you see any of these principles applying to your own teaching practice and if so, how?
