Listening for Silence in Text‐Based,Online Encounters

This article addresses the ways in which learners’ silence plays out within asynchronous and synchronous text‐based, online communication. Our study takes an ethnographic perspective in examining how learners and instructors in two online courses use and interpret silence. The ways in which those learners and instructors eventually integrated silence into their online communication were interpreted as non‐participation, confusion, marginalization, and thoughtful reflection. These findings have implications that are relevant to instructors’ efforts to create constructive online learning environments and view silence as an important aspect of social presence. We thus propose the need for the development of a deeper analysis—both empirical and theoretical—on the notions of online silence, social presence, and communication.     

社会临场感研究综述

社会临场感是指在利用媒体进行沟通过程中,一个人被视为"真实的人"的程度及与他人联系的感知程度。它能够促进虚拟环境中人与人的交互以及学习者的知识建构,是影响在线学习的重要因素,也是影响在线学习满意度的重要指标。文章首先介绍了社会临场感起源与发展过程,然后论述了社会临场感的内涵,包括定义的界定与辨析、内在属性及影响因素,之后对常用的测量社会临场感的方法进行分析,最后研究者介绍了关于社会临场感的研究热点并对未来的发展趋势进行了展望。     

网络课程资源建设之课程规划研究

课程规划统领课程开发,课程规划阶段的产出是课程设计阶段的输入,为课程设计提供直接的依据。网络课程规划包含课程层次核心要素和项目层次核心要素。课程层次相关要素分析包含社会需求分析、学习者特征分析、网络学习环境分析、课程目标与内容分析、学习方式分析5个要素：项目层次相关要素分析包括团队组建、沟通机制、进度规划、成本预算、质量规划5个要素。在具体实践中,课程规划者可以借鉴4种实施策略,形成课程规划文档和项目规划文档。     

Understanding social presence in text‐based online learning environments

This article reports on key aspects of a theory generative study into social presence in text‐based online learning environments. The focus of the article is the nature of social presence as experienced by online learners in those environments. Employing a collective case study design, the study accessed online learners’ experience‐based heuristic knowledge through a multi‐phase dialogical process which functioned as an extended interview. Among the key findings was (a) a definition of social presence drawn from learners’ experiences; (b) explication of the nature of social presence in online learning environments; (c) suggestions for the creation and sustenance of social presence in those environments; and (d) support for a relational view of social presence which emphasizes human agency in mediated social processes and foreshadows a role for social presence as a critical element of online learning environments.     

The role of learners’ epistemic beliefs in an online Community of Inquiry

The Community of Inquiry (CoI) model provides a lens to examine online learning through three elements: teaching presence (the design and facilitation of learning experiences), social presence (the extent to which learners project themselves as real people) and cognitive presence (the extent to which learners are able to construct meaning through inquiry and reflection activities). While research to date has established the importance of these essential presences in online learning environments, recent research on the CoI model calls for the need to explore the role of learner characteristics. The current study responded to the call by examining the role of learners’ epistemic beliefs (EB) (ie, individuals’ fundamental beliefs about the nature of knowledge and knowing) in an online CoI. Multiple linear regressions analyses revealed that EB moderated the relationship between learners’ perceived teaching presence and cognitive presences. Future studies on CoI should take learners’ epistemic beliefs into consideration, especially in the case of low teaching presences. Theoretical and practical implications for designing and investigating online learning are discussed.     

在线协作学习对感知学习的影响

在线学习环境缺乏人际交互的缺点在一定程度上决定了在线学习需要依靠学习者之间的交流和协作才能维持。对于在线学习的实际成效,研究者已经开发了不同的测量工具和评价方法来对其进行测量,但由于这些工具和方法之间缺乏内在一致性,使得针对学习的直接测量十分困难,因而感知学习常被用作反映学习的指标,也被视为衡量网络教学成功的重要标志之一。影响感知学习的变量很多,既有个体层面的,也有小组层面的。以天津职业技术师范大学本科生参与的网络课程“远程教育学”为例,运用逐步回归方法进行的实证研究表明：个体层面的变量——个体的协作学习态度、与熟人的交流能力,小组层面的变量——小组任务的相互依赖、小组任务的有效分配以及社会临场感都会显著影响学习者的感知学习。     

Social Presence Online: Networking Learners at a Distance

This paper draws on two studies which researched the use of online small group environments where collaborative learning is a central structure for learning. The establishment of social presence is facilitated through the socio-affective aspect of small group interaction which contributed to the effectiveness of learning online. Social presence, the ability of online learners to project themselves into a textual environment which has few visual or contextual cues, will be explored as an important element in facilitating effective online learning. The teacher's role in helping students project their online social presence and in establishing an environment for learning within the larger group computer conference will also be discussed.     

Monitoring online communication: can the development of convergence and social presence indicate an interactive learning environment?

More units of study are being offered flexibly, using distance education and online facilities, as a consequence of recent educational developments in higher education, with learner expectations of being able to study when they like and where they like, as well as increasing class enrolments and more students studying remotely or part‐time. However, the quality of the learning experience and the efficacy of placing learning activities that require student interaction and discourse in an online environment have been questioned. The concerns raised by educators regarding placing learning activities online are often about the types of learning environments that are being created and the tools available to support student communication in a virtual learning environment. Asynchronous computer‐mediated communication is one means of allowing students to communicate independently of time and place, and to communicate questions, opinions and queries when transferring interactive learning activities to an online environment. The use of threaded, online discussions that allow asynchronous communication has been criticised for not producing the perceived benefits for learners and educators. This paper assesses the use of asynchronous computer‐mediated communication and the degree of convergence and level of social presence as indicators of developing highly responsive and interactive learning environments in the context of an inquiry‐based learning activity, using a case study approach with problem solving and self‐directed research.     

在线协作学习过程中社会临场感的社会网络分析

已有的研究和实践证明,社会临场感有助于降低学习者在线学习过程中的孤独感、提升学习满意度和促进虚拟学习社区的建立。社会临场感与交互的关系十分密切,以往研究者主要借助内容分析方法或调查问卷来分析两者之间的关系,注重测量个体的意见和主观的感知,但无法反映社会临场感随时间发展变化的动态特征。社会网络分析(SNA)的中心度、密度、中心势、派系等参数能够较为合理地表征在线协作学习中师生的交互过程特征,为研究这一问题提供了新的思路。通过对一门网络课程实施期初、期中和期末三个阶段师生在线论坛中的交互过程与行为进行定量和可视化的社会网络分析,结果显示:学习者在不同学习阶段的社会临场感存在显著差异,交互和社会临场感之间具有十分紧密的联系,个体的社会临场感会随时间的发展而变化。社会网络分析有助于理解在线学习环境中社会临场感的形成和发展变化,有助于教师改进教学,提升网络教学的质量。     

网络课程的视觉传达设计

网络为视觉所驱动,在网络课程传达与接受的过程中,视觉担负着把握表层和深层意义的重任,视觉传达设计应注意引导性、互动性和亲和性的原则,使学习者在有效获得课程知识的同时,收获丰富的感知经验和审美愉悦。网络课程的视觉传达设计应通盘考虑网络结构、视觉沟通、互动设计及导航设计等要素。     

Instructor Social Presence Effects on Learner Social Presence,Achievement, and Satisfaction

Instructor social presence involves instructors establishing their presence as “being there” in terms of frequency of communication and interaction with students as well as supporting students throughout the learning process (Lowenthal 2015). Instructor social presence can be constructed and maintained through the design and facilitation of online courses. Studies have indicated that instructor social presence can be correlated with increased learning satisfaction, engagement and achievement as well as learners perceptions of the instructor. This sequential explanatory mixed method study investigated the effects of instructor social presence on achievement, satisfaction and learner social presence and further sought to identify effective instructor social presence techniques in asynchronous online courses. The results of this study showed that the degree of instructor social presence significantly influenced instructor perceptions of student achievement. Findings also suggest that a well-designed collaborative learning activity can be an effective strategy for building instructor social presence.     

“微博点名”促进在线学习交互研究

随着信息技术的发展,在线学习因其灵活、便捷等特点成为信息时代的一种重要学习手段。促进学习者实现较高水平的交互是提高在线学习质量的关键之一。然而现实的在线学习（尤其是异步交互的在线学习）交互效果并不理想。各类在线学习中的观望者和逃避者较少或根本不参加在线学习,教学交互的实现水平也显著低于积极参与者。通过社会网络分析法对一个基于微博的在线学习社区中社会性交互进行分析发现,“微博点名”活动能够显著促进在线学习交互,尤其是学习者之间的交互。“微博点名”活动的规则、微博交流方便快捷的特点,以及活动本身的趣味性是促进在线学习交互的原因。“微博点名”适合设计类和创作型学习实践活动。开展“微博点名”和基于微博的在线学习活动时,教师应营造良好的在线学习环境,发挥核心学习者的作用,引导边缘学习者积极参与,促进学习团体的形成和建设,同时应注意引导学生反思,提高交互质量。     

A dynamic analysis of why learners develop a preference for autonomous learners in computer-mediated communication

A large number of studies in CMC have assessed how social interaction, processes and learning outcomes are intertwined. The present research explores how the degree of self-determination of learners, that is the motivational orientation of a learner, influences the communication and interaction patterns in an online Problem Based Learning environment. Given the complexity of CMC, we expected that autonomous learners would be more willing to contribute to cognitive discourse. In time, we expected that control-oriented learners would develop a preferential attachment to contribute to discourse from autonomous learners. Data were gathered from 37 autonomous and 39 control-oriented learners who posted 1669 messages. Using a dynamic multi-method approach of content analysis of cognitive and social discourse, social network analysis, and measures of academic motivation, we find some preliminary evidence that motivational orientation influences communication and social interaction patterns amongst learners. From the beginning, most control-oriented learners develop a preference to connect to and communicate with autonomous learners, although a separate team-analysis indicates that group dynamics also influence how learners develop connections with other learners in time. Our findings further the understanding of differences found in distance learning courses about participation and drop-out.     

Developing an instrument to measure social presence in distance higher education

This paper examines the construct of social presence and develops an instrument to measure social presence in distance higher education. Social presence is regarded as an important factor to understand psychological and emotional relations among distant learners, especially when constructivism and discourse based learning are emphasised. Items initially drawn from the literature were reviewed by experts in relevant fields and extracted through exploratory and confirmatory analyses. Then correlation analysis was executed to see the relationship between social presence and other learning variables. As a result, this study confirmed four factor constructs of social presence: mutual attention and support, affective connectedness, sense of community and open communication, and also generated and verified a social presence instrument with a total of 19 items.     

A model for social presence in online classrooms

It is now possible to create flexible learning environments without time and distance barriers on the internet. However, research has shown that learners typically experience isolation and alienation in online learning environments. These negative experiences can be reduced by enhancing social presence. In order to better facilitate the perceived social presence in online classrooms, this study presents a framework developed from the social cognitive theory for investigating social presence and its relationships with relevant factors. An instrument with sufficient reliability and validity was developed to measure these factors. A formal questionnaire-based survey was carried out among learners with previous learning experiences in online learning environments. A total of 522 valid samples were collected from three schools and analyzed using structural equation modeling to examine the proposed framework and hypotheses. The results show that user interface and social cues have significant effects on social presence. User interface also has significant effects on social cues. Moreover, this study evidenced that social presence has significant effects on learning interaction which in turn has significant effects on learning performance. Finally, implications of the findings were discussed for further research directions and practical applications.     

Exploring the Roles of Social Presence and Gender Difference in Online Learning

Online learning has become more popular in higher education with its advantages of flexibility and accessibility. However, there have been challenges to students’ learning experience in online learning. One critical challenge would be providing interactions between students and instructors as good or effective as in the face‐to‐face environment. However, providing face‐to‐face interactions in online learning is not feasible because students and instructors are not physically present together. In this study, we introduce and empirically investigate social presence as student learning experience in online learning in which physical presence does not exist. Drawing upon the social presence and online learning literature, we propose a research model to explore how the interactivity of communication tools can drive social presence and student satisfaction in online learning. Furthermore, this study examines gender difference as a moderator in the model. Data were collected from undergraduate students who were taking online business statistics courses where an interactive communication tool was required to use for class communication and collaboration. The results showed that social presence driven by tool interactivity had a significant impact on student satisfaction in online learning. We also found that gender difference moderated the relationship between tool interactivity and social presence in online learning.     

回应哪个贴子?——在线交流的个案研究

如何让学生积极参与在线的讨论一直是教师关心的话题。以《教育信息化理论与实践》课程的在线交流平台为个案,采用一个整合社会网络分析、内容分析和访谈等方法的分析框架,从回贴的角度分析影响在线交流的因素,探讨了不同学生在线交流的差异。研究发现,发贴者的核心度、发贴的质量以及"关系"是影响回贴的重要因素,通过改进这些因素可以促进在线课堂的交互。     

A learner–centred approach to developing team skills through web–based learning and assessment

In traditional face–to–face classrooms, collaborative learning has been endorsed as an effective pedagogy that fosters skills of analysis, communication and higher order thinking. Increasingly, as online learning environments for tertiary learners make use of course support systems, there is greater recognition of the potential of communications technologies to foster dialogue, networking and team skills among learners. Such skills are now among the recognised core attributes that graduates are expected to develop. In face–to–face classroom students learn the skills of collaboration and teamwork by engaging in tasks defined and supervised by a teacher. In online environments teacher presence is often limited to task definition, management and feedback functions. Team skills and collaboration therefore need to be supported though different pedagogies and processes such as establishing a climate of trust and openness, communication protocols, resolution of conflict and group processes that provide sanctions and support. In this paper we describe an innovative approach to building the skills of decision–making and conflict resolution, leadership and clarity in goal setting and communication. A case study of tertiary learners illustrates how the essential aspects of task definition, resources to support group learning and integrated online assessment foster team skills.     

Exploring presence in online learning through three forms of computer-mediated discourse analysis

This case study examined patterns in online communication using computer-mediated discourse analysis to better understand how teaching presence, social presence, and cognitive presence are manifested in an online learning environment. The findings indicate that study participants actively participated in the discussion. The instructor and facilitators displayed high teaching presence through posting encouraging social words and maintaining a positive emotional tone, which created an open communication environment for student discussion. To promote students’ cognitive development, the acts that their words described included to “inform” and “elaborate” to help students construct knowledge by providing factual information and extending or embellishing upon points made. Students displayed social presence by using more social and positive emotion words, and tone, which signaled that they were satisfied with the discussion. Students’ cognitive presence was manifested through making claims, providing information and elaboration on posted comments.     

Retaining learners by establishing harmonious relationships in e-learning environment

Drawing from social resource-social capital theory, this paper aims to clarify and characterize the role of harmonious learner–instructor and learner–learner relationships in promoting experience and retaining learners in online learning environments. Hypotheses are tested by applying a structural equation model and the data are collected from a survey of online learning website (n?=?539). The results suggest that harmonious relationships have a positive impact on learners’ experience (i.e. perceived performance, enjoyment and social presence), which, in turn, strengthen learners’ continuous intention to use the e-learning platform. And learners’ expertise moderates the relationships between harmonious relationships and learner experience. Based on the analysis results, this study can provide educational institutions with useful tactics to retain learners in the e-learning environments.