Examining Social Presence and Online Learning Satisfaction Among Malaysian University Students During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social presence and online learning satisfaction among 257 university students (Mage=19.89years, SDage=1.93) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The partial least square (PLS) algorithm was used to examine the association and the prediction of the proposed relationship. This study employed a cross-sectional research design with convenience sampling. Participants completed an online survey questionnaire which consisted of a Social Presence Scale and Satisfaction Scale in March 2022. All scales included in the present study reported a satisfying level of reliability and validity coefficient. The PLS regression tests showed that social presence was positively associated with online learning satisfaction (β = 0.717, p < 0.01). Additionally, social presence reported a medium level of prediction power towards online learning satisfaction which shed light on the underlying mechanisms that explain students’ online learning satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results also demonstrate the singifiant contribution of teaching and learning approach, programme or intervention to facilitate social presenc. It is also essential to promote a greater sense of online satisfaction among university students.

Exploring The Relationship between Teaching, Cognitive Presence and Social Presence in Online Learning

“…In regards to the Malaysian context, learners agree that online presence does positively influence their learning satisfaction, in which social presence, for example, helps promote learners' affective and cognitive skills in online classes (Ho et al, 2022). Annamalai (2021) however, pointed out that learners feel burned out with online learning due to the burden of processing too much virtual information, besides having to learn to be digitally literate.…”

Attitude towards mental illness and its effect on seeking psychological treatment among university students

“…This finding supports Lee et al's (2023) statement that, although older students have a better understanding of mental illness than younger students, older students tend to hold a greater number of negative attitudes toward the mentally ill than younger students. Although COVID-19 is no longer considered a global health emergency, university students are still struggling with mental health issues arising from the Ho et al (2022) observe that the Malaysian government has encouraged COVID-19 to become endemic and this can gradually allow students to return once again to campus and back to the previous learning and teaching style. Following the recent reopening of most universities in Malaysia, undergraduate students have expressed a high amount of concern regarding academic stress and anxiety with the sudden transition from two years of online learning to a physical environment (Ho et al, 2022).…”