The Emergence of Social Presence in Learning Communities

2010 ◽  
pp. 22-38
Author(s):  
Antônio Carlos Soares Martins ◽  
Junia de Carvalho Fidelis Braga
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Complexity Theory ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Graduate Program ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Human And Social Sciences ◽  
Community Of Inquiry Framework

The discussions presented herein emerged from two empirical studies in progress:“Online Learning Communities in the Realm of Complexity” and “The Complexity of Learning Environments” in the Graduate Program in Applied Linguistics at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil. One of the major pillars of both studies centers around Complexity Theory. Initially arising from the natural sciences, Complexity Theory has been gaining ground in the comprehension of human and social sciences. This chapter presents some ideas regarding the role of social presence in both blended and online learning environments, in line with the Community of Inquiry Framework (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2000). Moreover, the authors hope to contribute to a better understanding of patterns that emerge from social interactions as well as of the ideas embedded in learning communities as complex systems.

Maximizing Multicultural Online Learning Experiences with the Social Presence Model, Course Examples, and Specific Strategies

2012 ◽  
pp. 395-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee L. Whiteside ◽  
Amy Garrett Dikkers
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Online Interactions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Prior Experiences

This chapter presents Whiteside’s (2007) Social Presence Model, course examples, and specific strategies and explains how such factors help facilitators maximize interactions in multicultural, online learning environments. The model provides a framework rooted in socio-cultural learning, linguistic nuances, learning communities, prior experiences, and instructor investment. The chapter also illustrates how the Social Presence Model, coupled with examples from a Human Rights Education case study and research-based strategies, can make significant differences in online interactions.

scholarly journals Study Circles in Online Learning Environment in the Spirit of Learning-Centered Approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szilvia Simándi
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Information Society ◽  
Online Learning Environment ◽  
Community Learning ◽  
Study Circles ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Learning Centered

Abstract Introduction: In the era of information society and knowledge economy, learning in non-formal environments gets a highlighted role: it can supplement, replace or raise the knowledge and skills gained in the school system to a higher level (Forray & Juhász, 2008), as the so-called “valid” knowledge significantly changes due to the acceleration of development. With the appearance of information technology means and their booming development, the possibilities of gaining information have widened and, according to the forecasts, the role of learning communities will grow. Purpose: Our starting point is that today, with the involvement of community sites (e.g. Google+, Facebook etc.) there is a new possibility for inspiring learning communities: by utilizing the power of community and the possibilities of network-based learning (Ollé & Lévai, 2013). Methods: We intend to make a synthesis based on former research and literature focusing on the learning-centered approach, online learning environment, learning communities and study circles (Noesgaard & Ørngreen, 2015; Biggs & Tang, 2007; Kindström, 2010) Conclusions: The online learning environment can be well utilized for community learning. In the online learning environment, the process of learning is built on activity-oriented work for which active participation, and an intensive, initiative communication are necessary and cooperative and collaborative learning get an important role.

scholarly journals Creating Community in EdD Programs during COVID-19: Challenges, Strategies, and Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Alyson Adams ◽  
Gage Jeter
Keyword(s):  
Learning Communities ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Community Of Inquiry ◽  
Community Building ◽  
Online Programs ◽  
Building Community ◽  
Community Of Inquiry Framework

Building community in online EdD programs can be a challenge, and the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of doing so. In this essay, we will situate community building within the larger Community of Inquiry framework and focus on the element of social presence. By understanding more about the various aspects of social presence, faculty who design and deliver online programs can build stronger learning communities with and for their EdD students.

scholarly journals Digital Citizenship and Distance Education

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley S. J. Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
School Community ◽  
Digital Citizenship ◽  
Learning Resources ◽  
Online Learning Environments ◽  
Emerging Issues ◽  
School Librarianship

This chapter describes the role of digital citizenship, particularly as it relates to school librarianship in online learning environments. It discusses the need for digital citizenship, its curriculum and standards, its place in school librarianship program preparation, distance education issues, learning resources, and implementation for the school community. Emerging issues are also noted.

Private Interactions in Online Discussions

2020 ◽  
pp. 351-379
Author(s):  
Lesley Wilton ◽  
Rubaina Khan ◽  
Clare Brett ◽  
Paul C. Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Private Communication ◽  
Online Learning Environments ◽  
Building Trust ◽  
Discussion Threads ◽  
Education Courses

Private discussion entries (called “notes” in this chapter) provide opportunities for instructors to engage with students for social and cognitive support in discussion-based online learning environments. Situated within discussion threads, embedded private communication allows for personalized engagement with students to support learning through in-place feedback, redirection, and encouragement. Nine themes of the affordances of private notes were identified through the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data gathered from four instructors and the activities of 278 students in 11 online graduate education courses. The benefits of private, in-place interactions identified by the instructors include encouraging authentic participation, building trust and social presence, redirecting conversation, providing advice about learning online, and more. A discussion of the importance of in-place private communications in online learning for providing feedback, reassurance, and guidance is supported by examples and followed by suggestions for future research.

A Mixed Methods Examination of Instructor Social Presence in Accelerated Online Courses

2016 ◽  
pp. 147-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Ryan Lowenthal
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Multiple Methods ◽  
Online Learning Environments ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Being There

Social Presence theory seeks to explain how people present themselves as being “there” and “real” while using a communication medium. Most studies on social presence focus on how students present themselves and/or are perceived as being “there” and “real” in computer-mediated environments. However, to date, very few studies have focused on how instructors establish and maintain their own social presence in online learning environments. The following study explored the phenomenon of instructor social presence in accelerated online courses. The results suggest that the construct of presence is more complicated than previously thought and that future studies should employ multiple methods to further explore the concept of instructor social presence.

A Mixed Methods Examination of Instructor Social Presence in Accelerated Online Courses

2016 ◽  
pp. 949-963
Author(s):  
Patrick R. Lowenthal
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Multiple Methods ◽  
Online Learning Environments ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Being There

Social Presence theory seeks to explain how people present themselves as being “there” and “real” while using a communication medium. Most studies on social presence focus on how students present themselves and/or are perceived as being “there” and “real” in computer-mediated environments. However, to date, very few studies have focused on how instructors establish and maintain their own social presence in online learning environments. The following study explored the phenomenon of instructor social presence in accelerated online courses. The results suggest that the construct of presence is more complicated than previously thought and that future studies should employ multiple methods to further explore the concept of instructor social presence.

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