Applying community of inquiry in a collaborative experiential learning course

Abstract

A collaborative experiential learning course involves two or more learning institutions. Operational constraints in designing such a course, especially when the institutions are in different locations, motivated the application of Community of Inquiry (COI) with online components, which typically finds application in blended learning. This article describes a new application of COI in a collaborative experiential learning course with a case study that involved two universities at different countries. The course included students from a university learning about Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in communities at the locality of another university. The application of COI was measured using factor pattern matrix (FPM). Students’ perceived learning was measured using reflection and course feedback. COI was rated well by students from both universities with indication of strong social and cognitive presences. The cognitive presence of visiting students appeared dominant through activities, while of host students through reflection. The study describes a new application of COI in areas other than blended learning.