Being online: Social presence as subjectivity in online learning

Abstract

This article discusses the relationship between social presence and subjectivity in online learning environments. Drawing from views of subjectivity synthesised by de Sousa and an exploratory study into online social presence (by Kehrwald), the presentation identifies the links between various forms of subjectivity and the operation of social presence. The conclusions highlight the benefits of explicitly associating subjectivity with social presence in online learning and some of the key implications for online learning practice. © 2010 Institute of Education.