Social Presence in the Online Learning Environment

Abstract

This paper presents one aspect of the findings of an exploratory study conducted at UNE 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 suggest that social presence is not being successfully developed by lecturers, with discussion boards and chat rooms receiving relatively low evaluations.