Teaching in Blended Learning Environments: Creating and Sustaining Communities of Inquiry (Issues in Distance Education)

Teaching in Blended Leaning Environments provides a coherent framework in which to explore the transformative concept of blended learning. Blended learning can be defined as the organic integration of thoughtfully selected and complementary face-to-face and online approaches and technologies. A direct result of the transformative innovation of virtual communication and online learning communities, blended learning environments have created new ways for teachers and students to engage, interact, and collaborate. The authors argue that this new learning environment necessitates significant role adjustments for instructors and generates a need to understand the aspects of teaching presence required of deep and meaningful learning outcomes.

Norman D. Vaughan is a professor in the Department of Education at Mount Royal University. He is co-author of Teaching in Blended Learning Environments: Creating and Sustaining Communities of Inquiry, and Blended Learning in Higher Education. In addition, he is the co-founder of the Blended Online Design Network, a founding member of the Community of Inquiry Research Group, and the associate editor of the International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning.