The Impact of Social Presence on Online Student Engagement

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to explore the impact of social presence on online student engagement. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the impact of social presence on online student engagement. Preliminary empirical review revealed that the vital role of social presence in online education. It confirms that a strong sense of social presence fosters a connected and engaged online learning community, impacting both cognitive and affective aspects of student engagement. Effective course design, drawing upon theoretical frameworks, and intentional efforts by instructors contribute to enhancing social presence and, consequently, improving the overall online student engagement experience. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), Community of Inquiry (CoI) Framework and Transactional Distance Theory (TDT) may be used to anchor future studies on online student engagement. To enhance online student engagement in the context of the study, several key recommendations emerge. Educators should actively promote social interaction within online courses, provide clear expectations and guidelines, incorporate synchronous interactions, implement peer interaction and feedback mechanisms, leverage technology tools for social engagement, offer timely and supportive feedback, monitor and assess social presence, and invest in professional development opportunities for instructors. By following these recommendations, instructors and institutions can create a more interactive and engaging online learning environment, fostering a strong sense of social presence and ultimately improving the overall educational experience for online students.