A little about me and why I have started this journey
Leo the Lion (my cat)
In 2001 I started working with a distance education unit at an university in eastern Canada. At that time I was completely new to the field of distance education but was intrigued by the possibilities the internet and emerging media could have on education at the post-secondary level. As a novice to the world of distance education, I was initially exposed to two frameworks: the Theory of Transactional Distance (developed by Dr. Michael Moore who is currently at the Pennsylvania State University) and the Community of Inquiry framework (developed by Garrison, Anderson and Archer who were, at the time of consolidating their framework, with the University of Alberta). The Community of Inquiry framework seemed more appropriate to the 21st century online environment.
Over the intervening 9 years a convergence between fully distance and fully on-campus courses has resulted in 'blended learning', a mixing to some degree of both modalities. As is often said, blended learning can offer students the best of both worlds if it is visioned, designed, implemented and supported appropriately. I hope to leverage my interest in the Community of Inquiry and blended learning through my doctoral studies. As I commence my second year of doctoral studies, I hope this pathfinder continues to serve the dual purpose as a repository for resources and a map to document the evolution of my research.
Over the intervening 9 years a convergence between fully distance and fully on-campus courses has resulted in 'blended learning', a mixing to some degree of both modalities. As is often said, blended learning can offer students the best of both worlds if it is visioned, designed, implemented and supported appropriately. I hope to leverage my interest in the Community of Inquiry and blended learning through my doctoral studies. As I commence my second year of doctoral studies, I hope this pathfinder continues to serve the dual purpose as a repository for resources and a map to document the evolution of my research.
My farewell cake from Penn State -- A motto for lifelong learners at university
