Teaching in Blended Learning Environments: Creating and Sustaining Communities of Inquiry

Teaching in Blended Leaning Environments provides a coherentframework in which to explore the transformative concept of blendedlearning. Blended learning can be defined as the organic integration ofthoughtfully selected and complementary face-to-face and onlineapproaches and technologies. A direct result of the transformativeinnovation of virtual communication and online learning communities,blended learning environments have created new ways for teachers andstudents to engage, interact, and collaborate. The authors argue thatthis new learning environment necessitates significant role adjustmentsfor instructors and generates a need to understand the aspects ofteaching presence required of deep and meaningful learning outcomes.