Chih-Hsiung Tu

The Relationship of Social Presence and Interaction in Online Classes

The purpose of this research was to study social presence in the online learning environment. Dimensions of social presence were examined using quantitative and qualitative methods. Three dimensions of social presence-social context, online communication, and interactivity-emerged as important elements in establishing a sense of community among online learners. The privacy factor was also an important element in the level of comfort for students online. An increase in the level of online interaction occurs with an improved level of social presence. This can be fostered by considering characteristics of the learners, by selecting the appropriate computer-mediated communication medium, and by applying appropriate instructional elements to course design.

A paradigm shift for online community research

Construction of an online learning community is an important approach to enhance the learning of online students. An online community differs from a traditional face‐to‐face (FTF) social learning community. The studies currently available have been conducted over short periods of time, have focussed on an analysis of end products, and do not consider the individual (the self). Therefore, they have failed to provide a comprehensive understanding of online communities. It is not clear how online participants should present themselves and how they should perform or interact in an online community. Online self, online self‐presentation, online social presence and online interaction are important issues to be considered in the study of these communities. This paper examines an online learning community from the sociological and social learning aspects. It discusses Goffmans self‐presentation, Shorts social presence, and social interaction, points out the weaknesses that exist in current studies of online learning communities, and suggests future studies in online learning community.

Building Active Online Interaction via a Collaborative Learning Community

Abstract Online interaction creates a desirable learning situation. Transferring traditional instruction to an online environment usually does not generate effective interaction for learning. This paper discusses theories and practices for an interactive collaborative learning community in an online environment. Three theoretical constructs-interactivity, social context, and technologiesare discussed to provide a theoretical foundation. Effective online interactive strategies and activities, communications, online discussions, technology selections, peer evaluations, team moderations, team projects/presentations, and online learning specialists are recommended to maximize online learning interaction.

From Presentation to Interaction: New Goals for Online Learning Technologies.

Educators have used online technology in the past as information presentation tools and information storage tools to support learning. Researchers identify online technologies with large capacities and capabilities to enhance human learning in an interactive fashion. Online learning technology should move away from the use of computer technology as presentation and storage tools and advance to the next level by using them as interactive tools. Emerging technologies should be implemented with advanced and sound instruction to promote interactive learning by engaging learners in actively analysing information and knowledge construction and applying technology to support their decision‐making. Three dimensions of advanced, sound and interactive online technologies are purposed in this paper: instructional communication technology, cognitive technology and management technology. These thee dimensions engage learners in active online communication, knowledge construction and the exchange of mental models. De la présentation à l’interaction:de nouveaux objectifs pour les technologies d’apprentissage en ligne Les éducateurs ont par le passé utilisé les technologies en ligne comme outils de présentation de l’information ou comme outils d’archivage de l’information pour faciliter l’apprentissage. Les chercheurs voient les technologies en ligne comme des outils de grande capacité à fort potentiel susceptibles de stimuler l’apprentissage humain de façon interactive. Les technologies d’apprentissage en ligne devraient dépasser l’emploi de la technologie informatique à des fins de présentation et d’archivage et passer à un autre niveau en les utilisant comme outils interactifs. Les technologies émergentes devraient être mises en œuvre avec des instructions avancées et solides pour pouvoir faciliter l’apprentissage interactif en amenant les apprenants à faire preuve de dynamisme pour analyser l’information, construire les connaissances et appliquer la technologie à leur propre prise de décision. Dans cet article on présente trois aspects des technologies en ligne interactives avancées et solides : la technologie de la communication éducative,la technologie cognitive et la technologie de gestion. Ces trois dimensions amènent les apprenants à communiquer activement en ligne,à construire leurs connaissances et à échanger des modèles intellectuels. Von der Präsentation zur Interaktion: Neue Ziele für Online‐Lerntechnologien Pädagogen haben die Online‐Technologien in der Vergangenheit zur Informationspräsentation und als Informationsspeicher zur Unterstützung von Lernen verwendet. Heute wünschen Forscher, die Möglichkeiten leistungsfähiger Online‐Technologien auch in interaktiver Weise beim menschlichen Lernen zu nutzen. Online ‐ Lehr‐ und Lerntechnologien sollten von ihrer Verwendung als Präsentations‐ und Speicher‐Werkzeugen zu interaktiv nutzbaren Computertechnologien neuer Generation weiterentwickelt werden. Neue Techniken sollten mit fortschrittlichen und soliden Anweisungen verbunden werden, um interaktives Lernen dadurch zu fördern, dass Lernende sich mit aktiver Informationsanalyse, Wissenskonstruktion und dem Anwenden von Technologie zur Entscheidungsfindung befassen. Drei Dimensionen von fortschrittlichen, verlässlichen und interaktiven Online‐Techniken werden in diesem Papier vorgestellt: Unterrichtskommunikationstechnik, kognitive Techniken und Management Technologien. Diese drei Dimensionen beschäftigen Lernende bei aktiver Online‐Kommunikation, Wissens Konstruktion und dem Austausch virtueller Modelle.

Is there a mobile social presence

Mobile learning environments are human networks that afford the opportunity to participate in creative endeavors, social networking, organize/reorganize social contents, and manage social acts at anytime, anywhere through mobile technologies. Social acts that elicit identities, develop awareness, cement relationships, ensure connections, and promote interactions are necessary for interactive learning. This study was to understand mobile social presence and how it influences social interaction and relates to online and network social presences. It concluded that mobile social presence is similar to virtual social presence in a way; however, it is different from online and network social presences in the aspects of personalized control, and location-free digital interaction. Mobile social presence is defined as the degree of enriching social context-awareness, managing location-based communication, personalized multi-layered interactivity, and optimized digital and social identities to other intellectuals through digital mobile technologies.

A multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis of the scores for online social presence: Do they measure the same thing across cultural groups?

Online learners and instructors are more diverse in their social and cultural backgrounds than their counterparts in face-to-face classrooms. The diversified social and cultural backgrounds of online learners and instructors complicate the conceptualization of online social presence and pose challenges to instructors in course design. This study conducted a multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis of the scores from the Computer-Mediated Communication Questionnaire (CMCQ), using Structural Equation Modeling, to assess the equality of the underlying factor structure across the low-context culture (LCC) and the high-context culture (HCC) groups. The results suggested that cultural groups perceived online social presence in a slightly different manner. Perception differences were observed in three of the four dimensions of online social presence.

A Study of the Relationship between Gender and Online Social Presence

CMC has been considered a “democratizing†technology; however, research indicates that CMC does not automatically result in social equality, and points to the importance of social and cultural factors surrounding the adoption of technology. Research suggests that CMC may impose a disadvantage to females, demonstrating lower levels of social presence. This study assesses the predictive relationship between gender and online social presence. A total of 395 graduate students participated by responding to the Computer-Mediated Communication Questionnaire. Quantitative research designs and analyses were applied. This study concluded that online social presence is not related to gender; therefore, gender cannot serve as an effective predictor for online social presence. A female’s online social presence can be as high as a male’s. Effective strategies to improve online social presence for both genders are suggested. Additionally, this study raises the importance on gender equity in emerging social media.

Online socio-cultural learning

Online socio-cultural learning assists the online learner to engage in active social interaction to build social relationships and to participate in online learning communities to improve knowledge development. Online technologies do not separate online learners causing them to work and learn alone. Effectively applying online socio-cultural learning concepts assists online learners in working alone while learning together by engaging in active online collaborative social interaction. The paper proposes an online socio-cultural learning construct that addresses six critical learning characteristics (meaningful activity; Learner uniqueness; process and development; relations; metacognition reflection; and cultural tools) to support effective online learning.

A cycle of online education ecstasy/agony: To MOOC or not to MOOC

MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Course, which is catching a lot of attention in higher educations. This attention particularly is popularized by mass media on the comments from innovative, disruptive, educational evolution, come the revolution, the campus tsunami, faducation, False promise, to hype, shallow, McDonaldization of global higher education. What do MOOCs mean to higher education? Should we offer MOOCs? What are the critical instructional designs for MOOCs?

Learner Self-Regulation and Web 2.0 Tools Management in Personal Learning Environment

Web 2.0 technology integration requires a higher level of self-regulated learning skills to create a Personal Learning Environment PLE. This study examined each of the four aspects of learner self-regulation in online learning i.e., environment structuring, goal setting, time management, & task strategies as the predictor for level of initiative and sense of control with regard to iGoogle gadgets management in PLE. This study has concluded that goal setting, time management, and task strategies in self-regulated learning can predict level of initiative in organizing PLE. Furthermore, goal setting and task strategies can predict sense of control in PLE management.