Creating Social Presence in Digital Learning Environments: A Presence of Mind? Steve Wheeler University of Plymouth United Kingdom

Creating Social Presence Social presence is an important feature of any successful learning activity within a digital learning environment

Creating Social Presence Social presence is the perception that one is communicating with people rather than with inanimate objects (Short et al , 1976)

Creating Social Presence Without a perception of connectedness students can feel isolated and demotivated

Creating Social Presence Perception of distance should be seen as psychological not physical Moore (1993)

Creating Social Presence Tutors should aim to provide an online equivalency to f2f experiences (Simonson, 1999)

Creating Social Presence Perceptions of distance can be amplified or reduced through social support

Creating Social Presence Social Presence Autonomy Surface Tenacity .12 -.30* -.65* .02 .82 1.32* Face to Face Model

Creating Social Presence Social Presence Autonomy Surface Tenacity .11 -.84* -.15 .73* 1.75 .48 Telephone Model

Creating Social Presence Social Presence Autonomy Surface Tenacity .66* -.05 -.27* -1.94 .50 .40 E-Mail Model

Recommendations Tutors should respond as quickly as possible to questions from remote learners

Recommendations Students need a social space - a facility that should be built into any managed learning environment.

Recommendations Tutors should recognise differences in study approaches and cater for as many as possible within the design of courseware, guidance and tutorial support.

Recommendations Actively encourage students to participate in regular group postings, and even to moderate the discussions

Thank you for listening Steve Wheeler Senior Lecturer in ICT and Education [email_address] www2.plymouth.ac.uk/distancelearning