Social, Cognitive and Teaching and Presences in the Synchronous Online Environment

Abstract

This presentation will focus on research that is being conducted using synchronous technology to provide virtual instruction to students in online classes. The research in process is grounded in the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework which suggests that learning online is supported by the three presences – social, cognitive and teaching presence. Application of synchronous technology to the online classroom seeks to improve student learning by establishing CoI. In this presentation the CoI model and each presence will be discussed followed by a description of the virtual instruction provided, the survey data collected and several short clips from recorded sessions will be shown. Based on survey data collected from students measuring student’s perceptions of the presences and coded chat transcripts, the presenter will discuss how instructors can supplement online instruction with synchronous sessions to encourage student engagement and learning. Session attendees will be able to define each presence in order to consider alternative methods to engage distance learners and promote teaching and learning as a community oriented process; recognize effective strategies in an effort to engage learners in a synchronous environment; and support the need and usefulness of using such technologies in the online environment to promote student success. The presenter will encourage discussion of the concepts of CoI as it applies to teaching and learning in the synchronous environment.