Developing a Sense of Community in Online Courses

Enrollment in online courses has grown drastically over the past decade. Institutions of higher education are offering online courses and more students are becoming enrolled in online courses and programs. One aspect of the growth in online courses involves the relationship between student feelings of isolation and online learning. The purpose of this study was to measure the relationship between communication types and the development of a sense of community in online education at a small, private institution. The study measured the relationship between communication types, trust, and participation with the development of a sense of community in online education at a private institution. Data were collected using the Classroom Community Scale survey. The sample for the study included students enrolled in online courses during a selected term at one small, private university. The survey results showed a strong relationship between connectedness and learning. Surprising results indicated a significant relationship between trust and the variables of sense of community and feelings of isolation. As trust increased, the sense of community decreased and feelings of isolation increased. A faculty development unit was created based on the results of the data analysis. The development unit includes a focus on activities and tools that will encourage community building within online courses. Instructors will participate in a variety of the activities so they can experience the activities to be better equipped to implement the activities and tools in their own courses.

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Digmann, Ashley

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Martin Jr., James R.

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10504/87376

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/87376