EDUCATION BLOG

I read an article on Cultivating Social Presence in the Online Learning Classroom:  A Literature Review with Recommendations for Practice by Brandi Scollins-Mantha.  It had some practical ways to help make an online environment more like a face-to-face classroom with respect to social qualities. 

One interesting thing I read in the article is the use of emoticons.  Sometimes showing these can reflect facial expressions and cues that are necessary when not in a face-to-face situation.  However, as always, there is a time and a place appropriate for different forms of communication.  Formal writing should not include these. 

Feedback in a timely manner by the instructor is a necessity.  Without non-verbal cues, students may feel alone and unsure of their place in the virtual classroom.  Adding humor and personal information can help forge a connection.  Having emails sent to check in on how students are doing and audio clips create a social presence.  All of this must be modeled by the instructor.  I never realized there was a method behind my online instructors setting things up like this in Blackboard since I've only taken a few hybrid courses.  But now, in a fully online distance learning course I see the benefit.

Mostly, I'm learning that in order for distance learning to work you must take into consideration the environment.  Just as teachers spend hours doing seating charts, moving furniture for optimal learning, and other environmental changes to a brick and mortar classroom, there must be certain things set in place in a virtual classroom to foster social presence.  Having a social presence is essential in collaborative learning online.