Ensuring Presence in Online Learning Environments

Abstract

Online learning in higher education has rapidly grown in recent years and has become the norm. However, pedagogical aspects on online learning environments are still developing. This chapter focuses on one foundational aspect of online and blended learning known as presence. First, the concept of presence in online learning is described i.e. teaching presence, social presence, and cognitive presence. Secondly, strategies for ensuring presence are discussed from different angles: course design, course instructors and course facilitators, and course participants. Thirdly, the implications for future research are outlined. This chapter enhances the research on the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework a useful guide to the design of learning experiences that support learners' critical reflection and engagement within collaborative online learning environments.

The Role of Social Media for Instructional Purposes

“…Cognitive presence is the extent to which learners are able to construct and confirm meaning through sustained personal reflection and discourse [17]. In addition, cognitive presence can be defined as the extent to which participants in any particular configuration of an online community of inquiry are able to construct meaning through sustained communication [15].…”