Engaging creative arts students using blogs and online communities

How is it possible to evidence whether students are engaging with a course? What can be done to increase their level of engagement? Johnson (2010) states that the sense of community felt by students in online courses can be integral in determining the level of course completion and satisfaction. This research project aimed to investigate whether student engagement could be increased through the use of blogs to develop an online community around a course, and to establish the effectiveness of blogs at evidencing engagement. The research used a case study methodology to examine the CG Arts and Animation course at UCA Rochester. The research revealed that the course team had successfully developed a thriving online community involving students, staff, alumni and industry, helping the course to move from 100% dissatisfaction to 100% satisfaction in the National Student Survey over three years. An evaluation of the activity on the blogs concluded that a Community of Practice (Wenger, 1998) had developed around the course with clear benefits for both students and staff.