Week 2: Framework

Actually, I don't have much knowledge of online learning or distance education… but I have thought they have lots of anecdotal evidences but not enough theoretical bases. (Am I right?)
I particularly liked the critical inquiry framework. This framework describes the community of inquiry with the three elements - social, cognitive, and teaching presence. The focusing on higher-order learning, in particular, critical thinking is more attractive.
Last semester, I took some of SLIS courses and learned Information system success. When I learned DeLone & McLean (1992)’s a taxonomy that has six major dimensions or categories of Information system success – system quality, information quality, use, user satisfaction, individual impact, and organizational impact. I thought it was a wonderful taxonomy to evaluate online learning system because I regard online learning system could be one of information systems. Actually, I tried to assess an online course based on this taxonomy. However, I realized the taxonomy was not enough to assess any online learning or distance learning system because it doesn’t cover pedagogical issues. In this context, I think the critical inquiry framework that regards not only technical issues but also pedagogical issues and organizational issues is useful for distance education.