Abstract
This article traces the evolution of the construct of social presence, focusing on its definition and conceptualization within online learning. The review here categorizes the research into three “eras” through which the history and evaluation of social presence can be summarized. The review reveals three fundamental concepts that are consistently emphasized in the research on social presence. The idea of social presence has long informed what is currently considered good practice in online learning. Yet, questions exist regarding how it can best be measured or conceptualized, and its relationship with learning outcomes remains unclear.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Distance Education |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |