Social presence is a crucial aspect of learning, as it enables online participants to be their authentic selves and connect with their peers (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2000). By fostering this sense of belonging and community, social presence reduces feelings of isolation and alienation, which can be significant barriers to engagement in online environments. This authentic connection creates a safe space where learners feel comfortable sharing diverse perspectives, asking questions without fear of judgment, and co-constructing knowledge, ultimately enriching the overall learning experience for everyone Social presence, specifically, refers to "the ability of participants in the community of inquiry to project their characteristics into the community, thereby presenting themselves to others as 'real people'" (Garrison et al., 2000, p. 89). There are many options available that will promote social presence within the classroom, such as Nearpod and Canvas.
Canvas is one option that can be used to promote social presence within the hybrid learning environment. The first reason that Canvas works is that it allows participants to use video and audio recordings for discussion posts. Using this function is particularly beneficial for students who struggle to articulate their thoughts in a discussion, as it helps them feel more connected. This allows students to convey tone, inflection, and even visual cues, bringing their "real" selves into the conversation—a key aspect of social presence (Short, Williams, & Christie, 1976). Canvas lets students create student groups with their private work zones, which include discussion boards, shared files, and more. This shared responsibility and identity are vital for "group cohesion," as Garrison and Anderson (2003) emphasize. For instructors who prefer to be more engaged with students, Canvas has an option to give feedback using audio or video. Canvas would be the best option if you are looking for an LMS that builds community.
Nearpod is known for having engaging and interactive learning tools for educators to use. To foster a sense of community, Nearpod has an option called "Collaborate Board". Students can post text, links, and images that their peers can see in response to a prompt. The Collaborate Board gives every student, including those who may be hesitant to speak in a traditional classroom, a platform to share their thoughts and be heard. Another available feature is the "Draw It" feature, which allows students to answer prompts by drawing. This promotes social presence by giving students the option to express their thinking creatively.
There are other LMS platforms available that will help educators to promote social presence. Educators must experiment with the platforms before rolling it out to students.
Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (2000). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer
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Gunawardena, C. N., & Zittle, F. J. (1997). Social presence as a predictor of satisfaction within a computer-mediated
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Short, J., Williams, E., & Christie, B. (1976). The social psychology of telecommunications. John Wiley & Sons.