Call for Chapter Proposals

Proposal Submission Deadline: May 30, 2011

Educational Communities of Inquiry: Theoretical Framework, Research and Practice

A book edited by Dr. Zehra Akyol and Dr. D. Randy Garrison

University of Calgary, AB, Canada

To be published by IGI Global: http://www.igi-global.com/authorseditors/authoreditorresources/callforbookchapters/callforchapterdetails.aspx?callforcontentid=126c1a01-a2ad-46ed-bedc-a86e6d04ae1f

Introduction

 

The Community of Inquiry (CoI) Theoretical Framework represents a process of creating a deep and meaningful learning experience through the development of three interdependent elements – social presence, teaching presence and cognitive presence. Addressing the need for a comprehensive theory to provide a clear understanding of the process of teaching and learning in technology enhanced learning environments, the CoI theoretical framework has been widely recognized and the principles and strategies have been applied to various learning contexts from K-12 to higher education, online to blended learning environments as well as from workplace settings . There have been many publications in prestigious journals, presentations at worldwide conferences, and a special issue of the Internet and Higher Education journal. However, there is a need for a book that has collected recent research and theoretical interpretations and provide developments from a range of different contexts.

 

Objective of the Book

This main objective of this book is to provide theoretical foundations and developments associated with the CoI theoretical framework and disseminate new research findings, trends and issues. It will be the first extensive reference book of recent research and practice associated with the CoI theoretical framework. It will offer scholars and practitioners a valuable source of ideas, research opportunities and challenges, practical implications, and issues regarding the CoI theoretical framework. As an extensive reference, it will prevent researchers spending time and effort to investigate what is already known and lead them to explore new areas of research. It will also provide practitioners direction in terms of designing and delivering online and blended learning experiences.

 

Target Audience

Graduate and undergraduate students in the field of educational technology as well as adult and distance educators who are interested in learning and studying the CoI theoretical framework will benefit greatly from this book. Researchers in a variety of fields who wish to further explore and contribute to the CoI theoretical framework will find this book invaluable. Faculty who wish to teach courses using the CoI theoretical framework will welcome this extensive resource of research and practice. Finally, practitioners and policy makers (i.e. instructional designers, teachers, professors from K-12 to higher education to corporate institutions) who are interested in applying the principles of the CoI theoretical framework to plan, design, deliver and evaluate courses or training programs in online or blended learning environments will be attracted to this unique resource.

Recommended topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
Theoretical Foundations and Epistemological Insights

• Learning and the Role of Learners
• Teaching and the Role of Teachers
• Critical Thinking in a community of inquiry
• Problem Solving in a community of inquiry
• Metacognition in a community of inquiry

Design Issues

• Strategies & principles to develop Cognitive Presence
• Strategies & principles to develop Social Presence
• Strategies & principles to develop Teaching Presence
• Assessment
• Instructional technologies to develop a community of inquiry

Policies and Administrative Issues

• Assessment in a CoI
• Strategic Planning
• Global Perspectives, Culture, Gender
• Institutional Case Studies

 

Submission Procedure

Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on or before May 31, 2011, a 2-3 page chapter proposal clearly explaining the mission and concerns of his or her proposed chapter. Chapter proposals should be unique and not be published previously. Authors of accepted proposals will be notified by June 30, 2011 about the status of their proposals and sent chapter guidelines. Full chapters are expected to be submitted by September 30, 2011. Contributors may also be requested to serve as reviewers for this project. Please visit www.communityofinquiry.com for updates about the process.

Publisher

This book is scheduled to be published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), publisher of the “Information Science Reference” (formerly Idea Group Reference), “Medical Information Science Reference,” “Business Science Reference,” and “Engineering Science Reference” imprints. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit www.igi-global.com. This publication is anticipated to be released in 2012.

Important Dates

May 30, 2011 : Proposal Submission Deadline
June 30, 2011 : Notification of Acceptance
September 30, 2011 : Full Chapter Submission
November 15, 2011 : Review Results Returned & Final Acceptance
January 15, 2012 : Submission of Final Chapters

Inquiries and submissions can be forwarded electronically (Word document) to:

Dr. Zehra Akyol

E-mail: coi.submission@gmail.com