Developing and Evaluating Social Presence in the Online Learning Environment

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of an exploratory study conducted at University of New England, Australia during 2010 that measured the perceptions of management students regarding their online learning experiences, particularly the development of social presence by lecturers in this environment. An online survey was emailed to postgraduate, off-campus students and undergraduate, on- and off- campus students who are enrolled in a coursework degree in management. Results suggested that social presence is a niche area that needs lecturers attention, specifically discussion boards and chat rooms receiving relatively low evaluations. Then the paper moves to discuss strategies that have been developed in four Marketing units during 2011-12 by embracing social presence related activities in order to enhance the effectiveness of the learning experience in the online environment.