Students ’ Perception of Social Presence and its Influence on their Learning in an Online Environment : A Case Study

This qualitative study investigates students’ affective domain in an online class. Garrison, Anderson and Archer’s Community of Inquiry Model (2000) and Rourke et al.’s Social Presence Templates (2001) were used to analyze transcripts, surveys, and interviews of all participants. The results of this study illustrate the nature of social interaction in an online environment confirming teaching, cognitive and social presences go hand in hand. Recommendations for instructors to create a community of learning are provided.