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Social Presence
What is it? And how do we measure it?
{ Patrick R. Lowenthal @ Boise State University }
Research on Social Presence
Researchers have shown—in varying degrees:
•A relationship between social presence &
student satisfaction
•A relationship between social presence & the
development of a community of learners
•A relationship between social presence &
perceived learning
Conceptual Framework
Social
Presence
Cognitive
Presence
Teaching
Presence
Educational
Experience
Social Presence
disclose
Affective
•Expression of
Emotions
•Use of humor
•Self-
disclosure
Cohesive
•Vocatives
•Use of
inclusive
pronouns
•Phatics /
Salutations
Interactive
•Continuing a thread
•Quoting from other
messages
•Referring explicitly
to other messages
•Asking questions
•Complimenting /
Expressing
appreciation
Social
Presence
+ + =
Method
Mixed Methods
Phase Data Analysis Type of Data Purpose of Results
1 Word Count
(Quantitative)
All course
discussions
Explore the frequency of
top words used
2 Content
Analysis
(Quantitative)
All course
discussions
Explore the presence and
frequency of categories
and indicators of social
presence.
3 Constant
Comparative
Analysis
(Qualitative)
One discussion
thread with high
social presence &
one with low social
presence
Identify codes, groups,
and themes in the data
missed by content
analysis.
Research Question
How does social presence manifest in a graduate
education asynchronous online course?
Results
Phase 1 Word Count
Phase 2 Content Analysis
Phase 2 Content Analysis
Stage One: Frequency Across All Forums
Phase 2 Content Analysis
Stage One: Frequency Across All Forums
Phase 2 Content Analysis
Stage Two: Frequency within different forums
Phase 2 Content Analysis
Stage Two: Frequency within different forums
Phase 2 Content Analysis
Stage Two: Frequency within different forums
Phase 2 Content Analysis
Stage Three: Frequency across students
Phase 2 Content Analysis
Stage Three: Frequency across students
Phase 3 Constant Comparison
Reading Group E ~ Lowest Social Presence
Students began the threaded discussion (which spanned two
months) with chit chatting and telling personal stories but
quickly changed their focus to the task at hand of
discussing public policy in general and the readings in
particular; overtime the focus of the discussion was solely
on the reading and public policy—by this point the
discussion largely consisted of students posting questions
and the instructor answering the questions.
Phase 3 Constant Comparison
Pair 9~ Highest Social Presence
Students who have a past relationship and spend time with
each other either professionally (e.g., we are fortunate
enough to work together) or personally outside of class can
have an easier time collaborating with each other because of
their past relationship, shared experiences, and geographic
closeness which others might not have. These benefits can
help them NOT to be alone, give them opportunities to chat
a lot, provide a strong and safe foundation to openly share
how they are struggling personally and professionally, and
to regularly meet face-to-face.
Discussion
Key Findings
Results suggest the the following are important:
Group size
Instructional task
Past relationships
One size doesn’t fit all
Other Findings
Other findings from this study are:
•Situational variables matter: There really isn’t
simply one type of CMC--the publicness, group
nature of online discussions, people’s growing
use of CMD, instructor’s role all matter
•Unit of analysis matters
•All indicators are not equal
•Differences between CoI survey and Indicators
Other Findings
Other findings from this study are:
•Situational variables matter: There really isn’t
simply one type of CMC--the publicness, group
nature of online discussions, people’s growing
use of CMD, instructor’s role all matter
•Unit of analysis matters
•All indicators are not equal
•Differences between CoI survey and Indicators
Patrick R. Lowenthal
patricklowenthal@boisestate.edu
www.patricklowenthal.com
Contact Me

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Social presence aera 2014

  • 1. Social Presence What is it? And how do we measure it? { Patrick R. Lowenthal @ Boise State University }
  • 2. Research on Social Presence Researchers have shown—in varying degrees: •A relationship between social presence & student satisfaction •A relationship between social presence & the development of a community of learners •A relationship between social presence & perceived learning
  • 4. Social Presence disclose Affective •Expression of Emotions •Use of humor •Self- disclosure Cohesive •Vocatives •Use of inclusive pronouns •Phatics / Salutations Interactive •Continuing a thread •Quoting from other messages •Referring explicitly to other messages •Asking questions •Complimenting / Expressing appreciation Social Presence + + =
  • 6. Mixed Methods Phase Data Analysis Type of Data Purpose of Results 1 Word Count (Quantitative) All course discussions Explore the frequency of top words used 2 Content Analysis (Quantitative) All course discussions Explore the presence and frequency of categories and indicators of social presence. 3 Constant Comparative Analysis (Qualitative) One discussion thread with high social presence & one with low social presence Identify codes, groups, and themes in the data missed by content analysis. Research Question How does social presence manifest in a graduate education asynchronous online course?
  • 8. Phase 1 Word Count
  • 9. Phase 2 Content Analysis
  • 10. Phase 2 Content Analysis Stage One: Frequency Across All Forums
  • 11. Phase 2 Content Analysis Stage One: Frequency Across All Forums
  • 12. Phase 2 Content Analysis Stage Two: Frequency within different forums
  • 13. Phase 2 Content Analysis Stage Two: Frequency within different forums
  • 14. Phase 2 Content Analysis Stage Two: Frequency within different forums
  • 15. Phase 2 Content Analysis Stage Three: Frequency across students
  • 16. Phase 2 Content Analysis Stage Three: Frequency across students
  • 17. Phase 3 Constant Comparison Reading Group E ~ Lowest Social Presence Students began the threaded discussion (which spanned two months) with chit chatting and telling personal stories but quickly changed their focus to the task at hand of discussing public policy in general and the readings in particular; overtime the focus of the discussion was solely on the reading and public policy—by this point the discussion largely consisted of students posting questions and the instructor answering the questions.
  • 18. Phase 3 Constant Comparison Pair 9~ Highest Social Presence Students who have a past relationship and spend time with each other either professionally (e.g., we are fortunate enough to work together) or personally outside of class can have an easier time collaborating with each other because of their past relationship, shared experiences, and geographic closeness which others might not have. These benefits can help them NOT to be alone, give them opportunities to chat a lot, provide a strong and safe foundation to openly share how they are struggling personally and professionally, and to regularly meet face-to-face.
  • 20. Key Findings Results suggest the the following are important: Group size Instructional task Past relationships One size doesn’t fit all
  • 21. Other Findings Other findings from this study are: •Situational variables matter: There really isn’t simply one type of CMC--the publicness, group nature of online discussions, people’s growing use of CMD, instructor’s role all matter •Unit of analysis matters •All indicators are not equal •Differences between CoI survey and Indicators
  • 22. Other Findings Other findings from this study are: •Situational variables matter: There really isn’t simply one type of CMC--the publicness, group nature of online discussions, people’s growing use of CMD, instructor’s role all matter •Unit of analysis matters •All indicators are not equal •Differences between CoI survey and Indicators