Current research supports the importance of a social presence in online learning environments. The understanding is that a social presence is necessary to foster community and build relationships in online learning environments that compare to face-to-face learning environments.
Stephen R. Aragon, in Creating Social Presence in Online Environments, noted a new body of emerging research that investigates the relationship between student satisfaction and learning outcomes. Aragon went on to say that learners who have a higher level of social presence are more satisfied with online learning.
My purpose for this blog is to start a discussion with online learners, as well as online educators, to determine how to promote social connections in an online learning environment in order to foster community and relationship building.
Typical posts might include answers to the following questions. What sort of activities, actions, or technology have helped in your program or online learning experiences? Chat rooms (audio, video, and/or text) that are or are not class related, message boards, instant messaging (IM), text messaging (cellphone), email, face-to-face socials (if so how often), etc.? There are no wrong answers, only ideas we can share to make online learning enjoyable and effective. By sharing ideas, we work together to enhance online classes.
Reference
S. R. Aragon, Creating Social Presence in Online Environments, New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education (San Francisco: Jossey Bass, 2003), p. 57–68.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I have not read the book but I am intrigued by the issues, questions and meaning/value/impact. My focus is less on learning and more on leadership and empowerment. I would like to hear from others what they think the word "presence' means, how it expresses itself f2f and online, and how critical it is to meaningful interaction, learning, 'integrity' of message, etc. I am kickinandtickin [at] gmail.com.
ReplyDelete