Developing and Strengthening an Online Community of Inquiry: Graduate-Level Statistics Courses

• In Event: Professors of Education Research: Accepting the Responsibility of Training Novice Scholars

Abstract

With the increase of online courses, recently impacted by the Corona Virus pandemic, this study sought to describe how instructors use the Community of Inquiry framework to develop and/or strengthen an online learning community in graduate level statistics courses. This paper will also present strategies instructors use to increase and support student engagement. The study was conducted by surveying 61 instructors who taught graduate level statistics with at least some part of an online format. Results include strategies used to increase engagement and to enhance community as well as what faculty would do differently.

Authors

• Courtney McKim, University of Wyoming

• Suzanne Young, University of Wyoming