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oai:helda.helsinki.fi:10138/6022182026-07-27T16:41:43Zcom_10138_18086com_10138_17738col_10138_18098

Oikarinen, Tuukka Samuli Helsingin yliopisto, Valtiotieteellinen tiedekunta University of Helsinki, Faculty of Social Sciences Helsingfors universitet, Statsvetenskapliga fakulteten 2025-10-08T08:15:24Z 2025-10-08T08:15:24Z 2025-10-08 2025-07-30 http://hdl.handle.net/10138/602218 URN:NBN:fi:hulib-202510084211 This thesis explores the formation of a learning community in a multisite blended field course in higher education. The course, a natural science course focused on peatlands, was piloted to reduce travel-related emissions associated with field courses. The course combined fieldwork at three separate research sites with shared online learning phases before and after the field phase. The analysis in the thesis draws on the Community of Inquiry framework and examines course design, student experiences, and interaction dynamics. Special attention is given to the formation of sense of belonging to the course community. The thesis employs a mixed-method research approach, and the data consists of two student surveys, qualitative observations during the field phase, and insights from a post-course teacher reflection workshop using a semi-structured format. Findings show that students’ sense of belonging varied significantly between the research sites. Key influencing factors for this variation included differences in perceived teacher support and feelings of equity across the sites. Limited communication between sites further affected students' experience of being part of a shared course community. Despite these challenges, students found the course generally successful. They appreciated the environmental motivations behind the multisite design and reported having meaningful learning experiences especially during the field phase. The thesis offers insights for designing inclusive, and community-oriented blended field courses that balance ecological sustainability with pedagogical effectiveness. eng Helsingin yliopisto University of Helsinki Helsingfors universitet CC BY 4.0 blended learning community of inquiry sense of belonging field course higher education Yhteiskuntadatatiede Social Data Science Samhällsdatavetenskap Nyky-yhteiskunnan tutkimuksen maisteriohjelma Master's Programme in Contemporary Societies Magisterprogrammet i moderna samhällen Creating Belonging and Community on a Multisite Blended Field Course pro gradu -tutkielma master's thesis pro gradu -avhandling open.access