Date of Award

6-13-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Heather Crandall

Second Advisor

Dr. Cheryl Coan

Abstract

This study investigates aspects of creating a sense of community in online, graduate education environments. Specifically, this study was designed to seek out very precise, practical actions that professors and universities can enact to create a greater sense of community for their online, graduate students. This study conducted research exclusively on a small, private, liberal arts university in the northwest United States, focusing exclusively on the institution’s MA program with online options. The courses observed were comprised of roughly 185 students. This study used both quantitative and qualitative data to uncover specific actions that professors and universities might take to increase an overall sense of community. Findings revealed that there are in fact several specific suggestions for implementation, largely surrounding: communication speed and platforms, learning environments, professor communication and presence, and student engagement.

Comments

All rights reserved.

Download

Share

COinS