In this dissertation I examine the design, construction and implementation of an online blog ratings and user recommender system for the Claremont Conversation Online (CCO). In line with constructivist learning models and practical information systems (IS) design, I implemented a blog ratings system (a system that can be extended to allow for rating wiki pages, profiles and files) to provide CCO users with the capability to rate the blog posts of their peers. I also implemented a user recommender system (a system that also can be extended to blogs, wiki pages, profiles, and files) to foster connection-making across the CCO. The system utilizes ratings from the ratings system to recommend like-minded individuals from across the site. While this research builds upon earlier research on the CCO, I expand it to explore how (1) a reputation system for blogs can facilitate learning in higher education and (2) a recommender system can increase user retention across the CCO. I measured these new components across five courses implementing the CCO. Results showed that while adoption rates for each system varied across courses, users adopting both the recommender and ratings systems experienced higher perceived levels of learning, social interaction and community compared with those students choosing not to adopt either system. This population also reported higher levels of planned continued CCO usage compared against those not adopting either system. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]