Increased social presence in asynchronous courses has shown to lead to student success and improved learning experiences. However, many students still lack social presence in asynchronous courses. This study uses Design-based research as its methodological framework to suggest a process for change via a social negotiating process drawing upon theoretical resources and practitioner participation. The negotiation process includes factors including social activities, membership, moderation, roles, and credibility of participants that may affect legitimacy in student experience. This study investigates ways for instructors to connect with students at the beginning of the course. This study also researches how Instructors might create course rules (i.e., netiquette) or guidelines that encourage or require participation, via self- assessment (honor pledge /statements/ rubric checklist) in discussions (e.g., journals, blogs, forms), which allow increased social presence with opportunities for connections and communication between both peers and the instructor. These guides can be adapted to align with online content and instructional framework, research, and best practices. Social presence has the potential for meaningful, constructive online learning with increased learner satisfaction and community awareness. This study intends to find how Instructors integrate social activities (icebreakers/ introductions, etc) to establish connections and relationships that help develop trust and interactions among peers before beginning academic course content. These activities can be chosen by the members through a majority vote conducted online.

Authors:
Joseph Peters, University of Hawaii at Manoa, United States
Patrick Agullana, University of Hawaii at Manoa, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Patrick Agullana is currently a teacher and a program coordinator for the International Programs of Outreach College at the UHat Mānoa. He is interested in social presence and student achievement within formal and informal online places.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-agullana-b00180232/

Instructional designer with over 5 years of experience working in higher education. I support the development of online courses (synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid). Born and raised in Hawaii and pursuing a PhD in Learning Design and Technology.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph8peters/

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-agullana-b00180232/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Schedule

Bookmark