Increasing Social Presence in Online Learning through Small Group Discussions

Authors

  • Mete Akcaoglu Assistant Professor Georgia Southern University Address: Department of Leadership, Technology, and Human Development College of Education, Statesboro, GA 30458 Email: makcaoglu@georgiasouthern.edu Ph: +1 912 478 0002
  • Eunbae Lee Georgia Southern University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v17i3.2293

Abstract

Social presence is a difficult to achieve, but an imperative component of online learning. In this study, we investigated the effect of group size on students' perceptions of social presence in two graduate-level online courses, comparing small group versus whole class discussions. Our results indicated that when in small group discussions, students perceived a higher level of social presence in terms of sociability, t(32) = 3.507, p = .001; social space, t(29) = 3.074, p = .005; and group cohesion, t(32) = 3.550, p = .001. We discuss how placing students in small and permanent discussion groups can augment social presence. Designers and educators of online learning can strategically modify group size to promote social presence in asynchronous online discussions.

Author Biographies

Mete Akcaoglu, Assistant Professor Georgia Southern University Address: Department of Leadership, Technology, and Human Development College of Education, Statesboro, GA 30458 Email: makcaoglu@georgiasouthern.edu Ph: +1 912 478 0002

Assistant Professor Georgia Southern University Address: Department of Leadership, Technology, and Human Development College of Education, Statesboro, GA 30458 Email: makcaoglu@georgiasouthern.edu Ph: +1 912 478 0002

Eunbae Lee, Georgia Southern University

Assistant Professor, Georgia Southern University Address: Department of Leadership, Technology, and Human Development College of Education, Statesboro, GA 30458 Email: elee@georgiasouthern.edu Ph: +1 912-478-0697

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Published

2016-05-16

How to Cite

Akcaoglu, M., & Lee, E. (2016). Increasing Social Presence in Online Learning through Small Group Discussions. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v17i3.2293

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 3 (2016)

Section

Research Articles

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