by Dr. Antonia Firigou , ACS Athens

1. The implementation of i2 Flex methodology in a language class and the use of the Community of
inquiry (CoI) framework
Fyrigou Antonia, Ph.D.
American Community Schools of Athens
Language Teacher
Coordinator of Languages Department
firigout@acs.gr

2. i2Flex methodology
i2 Flex and blended learning
• Connected with blended learning, the i2 Flex methodology
incorporates an integrated use of technology that enhances
content, and it is a carefully selected and interesting
application to a specific unit of study.
• Following characteristics: i2 = i x i, where the first i stands for
independent student learning, utilizing different online
reading books and other reliable sources, the second one for
inquiry-based student learning, where the faculty checks the
student’s findings and sends back guidance and the final step,
the face-to-face, flexible part , where students and faculty
meet face to face (e.g. in the classroom, in a museum, during
a fieldtrip or anywhere else) and the assignment is completed.

3. CoI Framework (2001)
Social Presence
The ability of
participants
to identify with the
community (e.g., course
of study), communicate
purposefully in a
trusting
environment, and
develop inter-personal
relationships by way of
projecting their
individual personalities.
Cognitive Presence
The extent to
which
learners are
able to
construct and
confirm
meaning through
sustained
reflection
and discourse in a
critical community
of inquiry
Teaching Presence
The design, facilitation and direction of
cognitive and social processes for the
purpose of realizing personally
meaningful and educationally
worthwhile learning outcomes

4. CoI Application in my Class
Cognitive Presence
Cultural Diversity topic,
Moodle syllabus, picture,
teacher’s lecture, article
Teaching Presence
Clear Moodle
communication of
CULTURAL DIVERSITY
topic. Short teacher’s
lecture guidance on
students’ findings
(feedback on the article
and VoiceThread), teacher
encourages students to
focus work on relevant
issues in a way that helps
them to learn.
Social Presence
Online or web based
communication, Virtual
coffee shop
VoiceThread, course
discussion, interactive
oral, students’ point of
view acknowledged

5. Q: How do I evaluate it?
A: CoI survey modified

6. Cognitive Presence
Triggering event
• Topics and material increased my interest in course issues.
• Course activities piqued my curiosity.
• I felt motivated to explore content related questions.
Exploration
• I utilized a variety of information sources to explore problems posed in this course.
• 22. Brainstorming and finding relevant information helped me resolve content related questions.
Integration
• Combining new information helped me answer questions raised in course activities.
• Learning activities helped me construct explanations/solutions.
• Reflection on course content and discussions helped me understand fundamental parts of the syllabus.

7. Social Presence
Affective expression
• I was able to form distinct impressions of some course participants.
• Online or web-based communication is an excellent medium for social interaction.
Open communication
• I felt comfortable using voice thread to practice internals.
• I felt comfortable participating in the course discussions.
• I felt comfortable interacting with other course participants.
Group cohesion
• I felt comfortable expressing in my own way my thoughts and ideas.
• I felt that my point of view was acknowledged.
• Online material helped me to develop a sense of collaboration when we later discussed in the face
to face teaching part.

8. Teaching Presence
Design & Organization
• The instructor clearly communicated important parts of the syllabus.
• The instructor provided clear instructions on how to participate in course learning activities.
• The instructor clearly communicated important due dates/time frames for learning activities.
Facilitation
• The instructor was helpful in guiding the class towards understanding course topics in a way that helped
me clarify my thinking.
• The instructor helped to keep course participants engaged and participating in productive work.
• The instructor helped keep the course participants on task in a way that helped me to learn.
• The instructor encouraged course participants to explore new concepts in this course.
Direct Instruction
• The instructor helped to focus discussion on relevant issues in a way that helped me to learn.
• The instructor provided feedback that helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses.

9. RESOLUTION
I can describe ways to test and apply the knowledge created in this course.
I have developed solutions to course problems that can be applied in
practice.
I can apply the knowledge created in this course to my work or other non-
class related activities.
• 5 point Likert-type scale
1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree

10. Benefits from using CoI to Evaluate
i2Flex Learning Experience
a holistic
evaluation of
the i2Flex
educational
experience
the teacher can
evaluate his own
work, students work
and when modified,
can be used for
administrative use as
an evaluation tool for
faculty who teach via
i2Flex
Can be used as a
support material to
encourage faculty
to assign
meaningful and
appropriate
student work
Innovative
instructional tool
which
establishes new
perspectives
between
teachers and
learners
flexible and
efficient to
understand
students
'understanding,
CoI as a frame,
following the new
generation’s
educational needs

11. THANK YOU!