Online Learning Communities Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Agent-Based Model

Abstract

This study has adopted an agent-based model to examine the factors that influenced the learning experiences in online learning communities. A community of inquiry (CoI) is an online learning framework which posits that positive learning experiences are created through cognitive, social, and teaching dimensions. It is based on the distance learning system during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this challenging time, schools worldwide have shifted to the distance learning system. The factors of this model are carefully translated to correspond with the parameters from Netlogo's HIV model through a coherent approach. These are the number of contacts, the length of time for online unreadiness, and the absence of learner control measures. This paper used a three-factorial research design where a series of simulations are carried out in the Netlogo software. The generated data reveal how these factors significantly contribute to the students' meaningful learning experiences. It has shown that CoI supports deep learning and how it provides meaningful learning experiences. Hence, this paper calls for further research in online learning to sustain a quality online learning environment based on the CoI framework, equipping tutors to varying teaching methods in online learning and contextualizing CoI from perspectives across disciplines.