Professional Development Themes and Solutions in Online and Blended Social Presence Research

• In Event: 25.066 - Learning Experiences, Community of Inquiry, and Online Learner Engagement

Abstract

After over fifteen years of case study research on social presence, or the level of connectedness among students and instructors, we uncovered a recurring theme: the need for improved professional development opportunities. In this presentation, we begin with a brief background on professional development, describe and explain the Social Presence Model (SPM), provide evidence from four case studies in K-12 and higher education, and summarize the key findings. The results suggest that the SPM serves as a useful model to learn about teachers’ professional development needs. We found that novice teachers seemed unaware of their need for professional development. Likewise, very few teachers considered the vision behind various technology-enhanced initiatives and their impact on student learning.

Authors

• Aimee Whiteside, University of Tampa

• Amy E. Garrett Dikkers, University of North Carolina - Wilmington