Blended learning and sense of community: A comparative analysis with traditional and fully online graduate courses

Abstract

Blended learning is a hybrid of classroom and online learning that includes some of the conveniences of online courses without the complete loss of face-to-face contact. The present study used a causal-comparative design to examine the relationship of sense of community between traditional classroom, blended, and fully online higher education learning environments. Evidence is provided to suggest that blended courses produce a stronger sense of community among students than either traditional or fully online courses. Copyright © 2003 by Athabasca University - Canada's Open University. All rights reserved.