Here Come the Bots! Student and Faculty Experiences Using Telepresence in Graduate Education

• In Event: Cognition, Media, and Learning Outcomes

Abstract

Telepresence technology has the potential to provide important benefits specific to graduate education to those who are unable to attend in-person. Therefore, this study examines the perceptions of faculty and candidates in a Doctor of Education program in which telepresence has been introduced to be inclusive of distance learners. The study poses the question: What are the experiences and perceptions of students and faculty who use TDL technology? Drawing on social presence, symbolic convergence, and cognitive presence theories as lenses for this case study design, results demonstrate the importance of humanizing the distance learners, and the relationship ties between candidates. Additionally, faculty need advance preparation and training to provide a seamless experience for both telepresence learners, and resident learners.

Authors

• Sarah Capello, Radford University

• Mellissa Gyimah-Concepcion, Elgin Community College

• Brenda Buckley-Hughes, Judson University