Full Description
Creating a Sense of Presence in Online Teaching
This important new resource shows how a strong sense of online presence contributes to greater student satisfaction and retention. The authors explore the psychological and social aspects of online presence from both the instructor and student perspective and provide an instructional design framework for developing effective online learning.
Based on solid research and extensive experience, the book is filled with suggested methods, illustrative case scenarios, and effective activities for creating, maintaining, and evaluating presence throughout an online course.
"The authors have taken the mystery out of the critical concept of presence by providing the theory that supports its importance and simple techniques to make it happen. Instructors who read this book will be able to develop effective online learning communities and achieve desired learning outcomes."
—Rena M. Palloff and Keith Pratt, program directors and faculty, Teaching in the Virtual Classroom Program, Fielding Graduate University
"Lehman and Conceição blend hands-on experience, research, and a collection of practical tips to provide every online instructor with strategies for 'being there.' If you want to bring the real you into your online classes and take your online teaching to the next level, this is the book to read."
—Chip Donohue, director of distance learning, Erikson Institute
"This book provides a practical and interactive model to help readers reflect on why and how they can guide online and blended learning activities, characterized by a personal 'sense of presence.'"
— Alan B. Knox, professor, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Contents
List of Figures, Exhibits, and Tables v Preface vii
About the Authors xiii
ONE The Role of Presence in the Online Environment 1
Why Is It Important to Understand Presence? 2
Creating a Sense of Presence 3
What We Know About Presence 4
Presence as the Result of Our Perceptual Process 6
Understanding Presence 7
Summary 12
TWO Ways in Which Presence Can Be Experienced 13
Types of Experience 15
Modes of Presence 18
Dimensions of the Learner 20
The Being There for the Online Learner Model 21
Summary 24
THREE Designing Your Online Course with a Sense of Presence 25
Determinants of Presence 26
Framework for Designing Online Courses with a Sense of Presence 30
Getting Yourself "There" for Your Online Course 37
Getting Your Learners "There" for Your Online Course 40
Summary 41
FOUR Activities That Create a Sense of Presence in Your Online Course 43
Before the Course Begins 45
During the Online Course 65
End of the Course 77
How to Know If Presence Is "There" in Your Online Course 84
Summary 93
FIVE Are You Here or There? Making Sense of Presence 95
Case 1. Getting to Know You and Your Course 95
Case 2. Second Life Participation and Blogging 99
Case 3. Creating a Web-Based Training Course as a Team 104
Creating a Syllabus with a Sense of Presence 109
Final Thoughts and Future Directions 109
Appendix 1: Training Resources 113
Appendix 2: Online Course Design Resources 115
Appendix 3: Sample Syllabus 117
Definitions of Terms 129
References 133
Index 137
