Critical thinking, cognitive presence, and computer conferencing in distance education

TLDR

Cognitive presence is a core concept in defining a community of inquiry. The study presents a practical approach to evaluating critical discourse quality in computer conferences. The authors employ a model of a critical community of inquiry to operationalize cognitive presence and develop a tool for assessing critical discourse and reflection in computer conferences. Empirical results demonstrate that the instrument reliably assesses critical discourse and that cognitive presence can be fostered in computer conferences with appropriate teaching and social presence.

Abstract

Abstract This article describes a practical approach to judging the nature and quality of critical discourse in a computer conference. A model of a critical community of inquiry frames the research. A core concept in defining a community of inquiry is cognitive presence. In turn, the practical inquiry model operationalizes cognitive presence for the purpose of developing a tool to assess critical discourse and reflection. The authors present encouraging empirical findings related to an attempt to create an efficient and reliable instrument to assess the nature and quality of critical discourse and thinking in a text‐based educational context. Finally, the authors suggest that cognitive presence (i.e., critical, practical inquiry) can be created and supported in a computer‐conference environment with appropriate teaching and social presence.