A study of cognitive engagement in online learning dissertation

This study investigates the degree to which students cognitively engage with their online courses in a Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) environment and is a replication of the Richardson and Newby (2006) study. Within a technology context, a Community of Inquiry is the framework for the study, and the general model of student learning is the theory tested using Biggs's (1987) Study Process Questionnaire (SPQ). Cognitive engagement is defined as the integration and utilization of students' motivations and strategies in the course of their learning (Guthrie, 1996). The majority of online courses are offered at the freshman and sophomore levels; therefore, this population is investigated. Since there is only one contemporary online study of cognitive engagement to date, this is an important avenue of future research