The Influence of Building Social Presence and Sense of Community in Online Learning

The Influence of Building Social Presence and Sense of Community in Online Learning PDF Author: Martha Lowe-Madkins
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781369139761
Category : College students
Languages : en
Pages : 193

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Book Description
Online learning has become one of the primary formats for course delivery in higher education. As online learning continues to evolve, more research is needed on social presence's contribution to student satisfaction and retention. The purpose of this study was to determine if the element of social presence in online learning has an impact on student satisfaction and retention. The research was also used to support and frame further research on measuring social presence, its relationship with learner satisfaction, and ways to create a more comfortable learning environment and retain learners in online courses. The quantitative and qualitative methods in this study on social presence included collecting data from students and faculty at a consortium of community colleges in Chicago. A survey was deployed to students enrolled in online courses. The survey included questions about students' comfort level with online courses, including online discussions and other technology. The data from the survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The qualitative data were collected during an interview with online faculty members. The interview data were coded, and categories were created using key words from the responses. The data collected from the student survey and the faculty interview helped determine the correlation between social presence and student satisfaction in online learning. The findings indicated that students, for the most part, were satisfied with their online learning experience. Most of the students responded favorably when asked about their comfort level with online discussions, collaboration with other students, and the technology. In the interview, the faculty members noted that although online discussion was one form of connectivity, it was not enough to keep the students engaged. Faculty members recommended that, in addition to online discussions, the inclusion of online groups and synchronous sessions could increase social presence. The data from both the student survey and the faculty interview helped provide recommendations for enhancing the online learning experience.

The Influence of Building Social Presence and Sense of Community in Online Learning

The Influence of Building Social Presence and Sense of Community in Online Learning PDF Author: Martha Lowe-Madkins
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781369139761
Category : College students
Languages : en
Pages : 193

Get Book Here

Book Description
Online learning has become one of the primary formats for course delivery in higher education. As online learning continues to evolve, more research is needed on social presence's contribution to student satisfaction and retention. The purpose of this study was to determine if the element of social presence in online learning has an impact on student satisfaction and retention. The research was also used to support and frame further research on measuring social presence, its relationship with learner satisfaction, and ways to create a more comfortable learning environment and retain learners in online courses. The quantitative and qualitative methods in this study on social presence included collecting data from students and faculty at a consortium of community colleges in Chicago. A survey was deployed to students enrolled in online courses. The survey included questions about students' comfort level with online courses, including online discussions and other technology. The data from the survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The qualitative data were collected during an interview with online faculty members. The interview data were coded, and categories were created using key words from the responses. The data collected from the student survey and the faculty interview helped determine the correlation between social presence and student satisfaction in online learning. The findings indicated that students, for the most part, were satisfied with their online learning experience. Most of the students responded favorably when asked about their comfort level with online discussions, collaboration with other students, and the technology. In the interview, the faculty members noted that although online discussion was one form of connectivity, it was not enough to keep the students engaged. Faculty members recommended that, in addition to online discussions, the inclusion of online groups and synchronous sessions could increase social presence. The data from both the student survey and the faculty interview helped provide recommendations for enhancing the online learning experience.

Collaborative Learning Techniques

Collaborative Learning Techniques PDF Author: Elizabeth F. Barkley
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118761677
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 455

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Book Description
A guide to thirty-five creative assignments for pairs and groups Collaborative Learning Techniques is the bestseller that college and university faculty around the world have used to help them make the most of small group learning. A mountain of evidence shows that students who learn in small groups together exhibit higher academic achievement, motivation, and satisfaction than those who don't. Collaborative learning puts into practice the major conclusion from learning theory: that students must be actively engaged in building their own minds. In this book, the authors synthesize the relevant research and theory to support thirty-five collaborative learning activities for use in both traditional and online classrooms. This second edition reflects the changed world of higher education. New technologies have opened up endless possibilities for college teaching, but it's not always easy to use these technologies effectively. Updated to address the challenges of today's new teaching environments, including online, "flipped," and large lectures, Collaborative Learning Techniques is a wonderful reference for educators who want to make the most of any course environment. This revised and expanded edition includes: Additional techniques, with an all-new chapter on using games to provide exciting, current, technologically-sophisticated curricula A section on effective online implementation for each of the thirty-five techniques Significantly expanded pedagogical rationale and updates on the latest research showing how and why collaborative learning works Examples for implementing collaborative learning techniques in a variety of learning environments, including large lecture classes and "flipped" classes Expanded guidance on how to solve common problems associated with group work The authors guide instructors through all aspects of group work, providing a solid grounding in what to do, how to do it, and why it is important for student learning. The detailed procedures in Collaborative Learning Techniques will help teachers make sure group activities go smoothly, no matter the size or delivery method of their classes. With practical advice on how to form student groups, assign roles, build team spirit, address unexpected problems, and evaluate and grade student participation, this new edition of the international classic makes incorporating effective group work easy.

Building Online Learning Communities

Building Online Learning Communities PDF Author: Rena M. Palloff
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470605464
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 335

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Book Description
Building Online Learning Communities further explores the development of virtual classroom environments that foster a sense of community and empower students to take charge of their learning to successfully achieve learning outcomes. This is the second edition of the groundbreaking book by Rena Palloff and Keith Pratt and has been completely updated and expanded to include the most current information on effective online course development and delivery. A practical, hands-on guide, this resource is filled with illustrative case studies, vignettes, and examples from a wide variety of successful online courses. The authors offer proven strategies for handling challenges that include: Engaging students in the formation of an online learning community. Establishing a sense of presence online. Maximizing participation. Developing effective courses that include collaboration and reflection. Assessing student performance. Written for faculty in any distance learning environment, this revised edition is based on the authors many years of work in faculty development for online teaching as well as their extensive personal experience as faculty in online distance education. Rena M. Palloff and Keith Pratt share insights designed to guide readers through the steps of online course design and delivery.

Social Presence and Identity in Online Learning

Social Presence and Identity in Online Learning PDF Author: Patrick R. Lowenthal
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000021750
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 182

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Book Description
This book is an investigation into the role which social presence and identity play in online learning environments. Scholars across disciplines have grappled with the questions of what it means for a person to be and to interact online. In the context of online learning, these questions reflect specific concerns related to how well people can learn in a setting limited to mediated interactions and lacking various communication cues. For example, how can a teacher and students come to know each other if they cannot see each other? How can they effectively understand and communicate with each other if they are separated by space and, in many instances, time? These concerns are related to social presence and identity, both of which are complex, multi-faceted, and closely interrelated constructs. The chapters in this book consider how online learning has developed and changed over time in terms of technology, pedagogy, and familiarity. Collectively these chapters show the diverse ways that educational researchers have explored social presence and identity. They also highlight some of the nuanced concerns online educators might have in these areas. This book was originally published as a special issue of Distance Education.

Learning Together Online

Learning Together Online PDF Author: Starr Roxanne Hiltz
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 113561539X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
This book addresses the past and future of research on the effectiveness of "asynchronous learning networks" courses in which students and teachers learn together online via the Internet. An integrated theoretical framework called "Online Interaction Lea

Bridging the Distance

Bridging the Distance PDF Author: Brian K. Walker
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Distance education
Languages : en
Pages : 273

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Book Description
"Online instruction has become part of the core of higher education and a voluminous literature has developed establishing that online instruction is just as effective as face-to-face learning. Simultaneously, however, pervasive reports of isolation and attrition among online learners, attributed to the presumed inability of online classes to support the substantive social interaction and sense of community among learners, have led some to conclude that online learning is not suitable for students who highly value interaction and who cannot function well independently. This study, however, explores how innovations in online instructional media and design may heighten interaction and community building among online learners. This study examines how the use of an online virtual environment impacts on student learning experiences in terms of four constructs: Presence, social presence, social interaction, and sense of community. During this ethnography, the online class proceedings of four hybrid classes were observed over the course of three academic terms. The transcripts of the proceedings, some conducted in the virtual environment and some in an asynchronous discussion forum, were subjected to content analysis to examine how the constructs manifested themselves in the virtual environment, how the environment impacted on their manifestation, how they mutually influenced one another, and how they mutually impacted upon student learning experiences. In addition, the researcher conducted interview and focus group sessions with key informants. The results indicated that the MOO demonstrated stronger manifestations of the constructs than did Blackboard, primarily due to the fast-paced, synchronous exchanges and the ability to display slides which the MOO supported but Blackboard could not. The results suggested that the presence and social presence supported by the MOO promoted the growth of social interaction in both forums which, in turn, promoted the development of sense of community among learners which minimized students' sense of isolation and combated attrition. However, the results also established that the use of the virtual environment was not a panacea, and that the manifestation of the constructs was also dependent upon the pedagogy and degree of involvement and investment in the online forum of both the instructor and the students."--Abstract from author supplied metadata.

Foundational Practices of Online Writing Instruction

Foundational Practices of Online Writing Instruction PDF Author: Beth L. Hewett
Publisher: Parlor Press LLC
ISBN: 1602356688
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 350

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Book Description
Foundational Practices in Online Writing Instruction addresses administrators’ and instructors’ questions for developing online writing programs and courses. Written by experts in the field, this book uniquely attends to issues of inclusive and accessible online writing instruction in technology-enhanced settings, as well as teaching with mobile technologies and multimodal compositions.

E-Learning in the 21st Century

E-Learning in the 21st Century PDF Author: D. Randy Garrison
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134574525
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 188

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Book Description
There is currently a technological revolution taking place in higher education. The growth of e-learning is being described as explosive, unprecedented, and above all, disruptive. This timely and comprehensive book provides a coherent framework for understanding e-learning in higher education. The authors draw on their extensive research in the area to explore the technological, pedagogical and organisational implications of e-learning, and more importantly, they provide practical models for educators to use to realise the full potential of e-learning. A unique feature of the book is that the authors focus less on the ever-evolving technologies and more on the search for an understanding of these technologies from an educational perspective. This book will be invaluable for researchers, practitioners and senior administrators looking for guidance on how to successfully adopt e-learning in their institutions. It will also appeal to anyone with an interest in the impact of e-learning on higher education and society.

Transforming Learning with Meaningful Technologies

Transforming Learning with Meaningful Technologies PDF Author: Maren Scheffel
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030297365
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 779

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Book Description
This book constitutes the proceedings of the 14th European Conference on Technology Enhanced Learning, EC-TEL 2019, held in Delft, The Netherlands, in September 2019. The 41 research papers and 50 demo and poster papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 149 submissions. The contributions reflect the debate around the role of and challenges for cutting-edge 21st century meaningful technologies and advances such as artificial intelligence and robots, augmented reality and ubiquitous computing technologies and at the same time connecting them to different pedagogical approaches, types of learning settings, and application domains that can benefit from such technologies.

Effective Learning Environments in Higher Education Online Settings

Effective Learning Environments in Higher Education Online Settings PDF Author: Karen Moroz
Publisher: IAP
ISBN:
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 97

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Book Description
Effective online teaching is a well-documented topic, however, this book is different because it specifically addresses the effective and affective pedagogy and learning. It provides methods for building a strong and meaningful online environment that builds community, relationships, and establishes the social presence of each individual learner. This book provides a different perspective as it is written by experienced faculty members in higher education, all of whom have been teaching online for a decade or more. It also addresses the how and why establishing social presence as a necessity for effective online learning. This book addresses the “Why?” in the need for understanding contemporary approaches for exemplar online teaching with the establishment of social presence. With an increase in online learning, there is a shift in how current teaching practices are impacted and what is important to student learning in this change. This book describes the importance of strong andragogical practices in online teaching: rigor, teacher and learner mindset, and the importance of constructing social presence. Effective Learning Environments in Higher Education Online Settings: Establishing Social Presence provides pedagogical tools for enhancing the online learning experience. A relevant guide for constructing and teaching virtual / distance / elearning / online / hybrid / blended courses, faculty, instructional designers, professional development leaders, and administrators will find this book a practical and valuable resource for building community and establishing social presence in authentic ways.