I am writing the list to request your help in getting the word out about our research study. We are hoping that you will help us by encouraging your online and blended classroom students to take our survey. The following is our abstract: ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to examine and determine the extent to which the Community of Inquiry, and specifically the dimensions of teaching presence, exists in blended and online courses, and suggest methods for improving teaching presence. The Community of Inquiry model (Garrison et al., 1999) aims to investigate how written language used in computer conferencing activities promotes critical and higher-order thinking. Research on this model suggests successful learning experiences occur in a "community of inquiry" environment composed of instructors and students who effectively demonstrate critical thinking, interpersonal and interaction skills in the classroom. Furthermore, the model assumes that valuable learning in online and blended courses is a function of the interaction between social presence, cognitive presence and three dimensions of teaching presence - design and organization, facilitating discourse, and direct instruction (Arbaugh 2007). The current study, while ongoing, reveals significant relationships were found between social, cognitive and teaching factors in participants who were very likely to take an online course in the future. The current study will collect information over the next year, ending May 2009. Our survey can be found and taken at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Kr_2bg9rB5uU3hnqXkcB0kpQ_3d_3d References Arbaugh, J. B. (2007). An Empirical Verification of the Community of Inquiry [Electronic Version]. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 11. Retrieved November 13, 2007, from http://www.sloan-c.org/publications/jaln/v11n1/v11n1_9arbaugh.asp Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (1999). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education. The Internet and Higher Education, 2, 87-105. ====================== Richard G. Bush, Ph. D. 248-204-3078 | 734-480-9020 Skype: richard.g.bush Eastern Time Zone ======================