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Article
Creating a Climate of Engagement in a Blended Learning Environment
Journal of Interactive Learning Research (2006)
  • Trena M. Paulus, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Mary Ziegler, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Marianne Woodside, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Abstract
This article describes the conversational interactions of one online learning group whose task was to identify themes of human development from life histories of the group members. The data were analyzed by a research team using the hermeneutic circle, which involves continually looking at parts of the text in light of the meaning of the larger text, returning to the parts and then back again to the larger whole. A climate of engagement emerged from the data analysis as the overarching theme capturing the essence of the participants' online interactions. Four aspects were found to constitute this climate of engagement: engaging in the online environment; engaging in dialogue; engaging as a group; and engaging in the content. A dialogue pattern connected the four aspects. The authors propose a model of engagement that captures the dynamic nature of these participants' interactions and suggest implications for research and practice.
Keywords
  • dialogue,
  • engagement,
  • online learning,
  • online discussion
Publication Date
2006
Citation Information
Trena M. Paulus, Mary Ziegler and Marianne Woodside. "Creating a Climate of Engagement in a Blended Learning Environment" Journal of Interactive Learning Research Vol. 17 Iss. 3 (2006)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/trena_paulus/19/