Share Paper: Fostering Vibrant Communities of Inquiry and Dynamic Collaboration in Synchronous Virtual Graduate Seminars

  1. Annie Saint-Jacques, Laval University, Canada
Thursday, October 20 1:30-1:50 PM Kaua'i

Abstract: Based on the preliminary findings of a qualitative doctoral research that took place in five Francophone and Anglophone North American universities this paper reports on efficient ways to engage graduate students attending virtual seminars. Grounded theory techniques were used to analyze results from post facto observation of virtual graduate seminars, interviews with faculty members, graduate students and instructional designers, as well as student online surveys. The findings highlight not only the crucial role a community of inquiry plays given its collaborative and constructivist approach, but also suggest teaching strategies by which to foster such communities in synchronous virtual graduate seminars.