Theoretical Perspectives of Online Learning : Community of Inquiry, Online Collaborative Learning, and Connectivism

While distance learning can be mapped back to shorthand courses taught via physical correspondence in the 1840s (Howell Major, 2015, p. 7), it has arguably become more central to the educational conversation since it played such a crucial role in securing the continuation of learning environments during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the form of online learning.This paper looks at just three contemporary teaching models that utilize online learning platforms: Siemens' Connectivisim; Harasim's Online Collaborative Learning (OCL); and Garrison et al.'s Community of Inquir y (CoI).Each of these models will be briefly explored, compared, and discussed.How aspects of these theories could be applied to contemporary learning environments will then be explored and considered.The topics examined will not only be of use to those teaching in online spaces, but also to educators who hope to incorporate more instructional technology in their classes in the future and foster more student autonomy.