Social Presence and Online Learning

Having earned two degrees via an online distance learning program and spending the last two plus years in graduate study concerning instructional technology, I am somewhat of a proponent for web-based or computer-based learning. Recently I have become quite intrigued with the social presence that is involved in online learning and the communities that develop. I am working an a research project concerning this in my IT577 class and so far the literature that I am finding on this subject is fascinating.

Thursday night in this class (IT695) we discussed the social communities that develop in online situations. We also discussed online learning versus face-to-face education and some of the concerns with online educations. However, we did not specifically discuss the effects of having a social presence that fosters community and relationship building in online education. The current literature seems to indicate that a higher level of social presence leads to more a more satisfying online learning experience by removing feelings of isolation.

Has anyone had experience with this as a student or instructor? Or have you looked at any research on this topic?

Also, check out this neat study concerning Text Messaging to Improve Social Presence in Online Learning. I had never heard of or thought of this approach in online learning, however text messaging was used in a new effective way in the past U.S. Presidential election so maybe it is a new medium to try. People of all ages text these days, but anyone with teenagers or are around college age students know that their fingers are constantly keying on a cell phone. Therefore, this may become the most effective method of communication. Maybe soon we will have cell phone-based distance education that involves podcasting for lectures and text messaging for discussions. So that with Internet accessibility (thus able to view web-based materials and email) on the cell phone the entire course can be delivered and completed via cell phone. Hmmmmm....just a thought...wait, here is a 2004 study concerning distance learning with cell phones and news in 2008 about Community-College System Offers Distance Education by Cellphone.

Any thoughts?

Go to my blog on Social Presence in Online Learning