Learning Community and Student Engagement Through the Community of Inquiry Framework in a Dietetics Program

Nutrition and dietetics education is transforming as ACEND-accredited programs transition to align with the graduate degree requirement for RDN exam eligibility. Furthermore, as a result of the pandemic, a shift towards online and hybrid education for graduate and even undergraduate students has occurred.

At James Madison University, faculty have worked intentionally to strengthen classroom community within hybrid undergraduate dietetics courses as a model for developing our ACEND-accredited Graduate Program. We have integrated the "Community of Inquiry" (CoI) framework into the Clinical Nutrition I and II and Counseling Skills for Dietetics courses, taken by junior and senior dietetics majors.

This session discusses the CoI framework, which utilizes the three dimensions-teaching, social and cognitive presence-to build community, promote student and faculty connection, and enhance learning and engagement. Consequently, supportive teaching strategies are used within both face-to-face and online classrooms and are integrated into the structure and use of Canvas, a learning management system.

The session includes our implementation of pedagogical strategies, CoI evaluative tools, as well as preliminary data on the CoI results from the undergraduate courses.

CPE Level: Level 2 (intermediate knowledge/experience)
CPEU: 1.0

Performance Indicators

• 9.1.2 Identifies and works to minimize and overcome barriers to learning.
• 9.2.3 Applies educational theories and uses assessment results for planning process and development of materials and teaching aids.
• 9.3.2 Develops a variety of learning activities based on a plan of action and the needs of individuals, groups, communities and populations.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss three ways the changing requirements in nutrition and dietetics education and in higher education trends will impact educational content, pedagogies and strategies.
• Discuss the three dimensions of the Community of Inquiry framework and its specific applications for enhancing engagement and learning outcomes within traditional, hybrid or classroom.
• Identify four learning strategies which can be applied to the traditional, hybrid and online classrooms to build community and enhance student engagement and outcomes.

Moderator

• Jill Comess

Speakers

• Jennifer Walsh
• Ana Abad-Jorge