The Roles of Extrinsic Factors in a Community of Inquiry Model of E-Learning

Abstract

Despite its proliferation in higher learning institutions, e-learning has been criticised as being nothing more than trivial online conversations, or a mere means of delivering class materials electronically. If e-learning is to address such criticisms and become an effective pedagogical platform, educators need to identify elements critical to the success of e-learning. A well-known framework for studying e-learning as a pedagogical platform is the community of inquiry (COI) model. In this study, the authors develop a conceptual COI model to propose that while satisfactory e-learning experience stems from the interactions among three presences -social, cognitive, and teaching -the relative influences of the presences on e-learning experience are moderated by five extrinsic factors: content richness, perceived ease of use of e-learning platform, type of curriculum, teaching orientation, and participant age. They argue that this extended and more comprehensive COI framework would help educators better understand e-learning's use as an effective pedagogical platform.

E-Learning and Social Media Motivation Factor Model

“…Content when being tailored carefully can further intensify e-learning user motivation to use e-learning, according to Calli et al (2013), content effectiveness had a significant effect on perceived usefulness by the users. Content richness in e-learning has been identified as extrinsic factors in the inquiry model of e-learning (Lee & Faulkner, 2011). Wu and Zhang (2014) based on their empirical study show that social influence had no significant effect on e-learning usage.…”

“…The differences in demographic and geographical landscape between Wu and Zhang (2014), Lin and Yang (2012) and Hernandez et al (2011) that cause different culture and environment might explain the disparity between their finding. Social interactions that presence in e-learning plays a significant role in the usage of e-learning (Lee & Faulkner, 2011) as social influence was found to be having a positive influence over users' behavioral intention (Maldonado et al, 2011).…”