Academic research has identified teaching presence as an influencer of various student success measures in online learning, including achievement, learning satisfaction, and motivation. Educational literature also supports many teaching presence strategies, including identifying clear goals and objectives for students, offering timely feedback, and providing meaningful instruction. Historically, the academic literature also indicates that well-executed teaching presence can predict student success in online learning. However, as enrollment in virtual programs continue to rise, it is prudent to examine teaching presence from the online student’s perspective with the aim of gaining additional insight into how online students define and describe the concept of teaching presence. In this qualitative case study, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with online graduate students in a specific asynchronous course at a large public institution. Applying a constructivist grounded theory approach, the researcher examined students’ perceptions to identify how this group defines and describes teaching presence. The results of this study provide faculty, administrators, and instructional designers the capability to better comprehend student views and opinions to capitalize on that knowledge when designing and developing online courses. Areas of focus include student viewpoints on course design and organization, methods of enhancing communication and discussion, and ways to deliver instruction more effectively to online learners. The study also provides evidence of the need for a thoughtful approach to teaching presence, which enhances meaningful learning, student satisfaction, and the overall online educational experience.

Authors:
Laura McNeill, University of Alabama, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Laura McNeill is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at University of Alabama, United States

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurajmcneill

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Laura-Mcneill-2

Additional website of interest
https://lmcneill.people.ua.edu/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Schedule

Bookmark