Students’ perceived social presence and media richness of a synchronous videoconferencing learning environment

Abstract

This correlational cross-sectional study was conducted with sixty graduate students to explore their perceived social experiences with the use of synchronous videoconferencing in the online learning environment. By applying the theories of social presence and media richness, this study investigated the perceived relationship between social presence, social space, sociability, and media richness. The communication theories of social presence and media richness were applied to better understand the relationship between the communication medium (videoconferencing) and the interactions within the mediated environments (e.g., Zoom). Looking through the lens of social constructivism, this correlational cross-sectional study explored graduate students perceived social presence and media richness of a synchronous videoconferencing learning environment by investigating how strongly and in what direction social presence, social space, sociability, and media richness were related. To answer the research question, a Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to investigate how strongly and in what direction social presence, social space, sociability, and media richness were related in a synchronous videoconferencing learning environment. The results indicated a strong, positive correlation between Social Presence and Social Space (Positive Group Behavior); Social Presence and Sociability; Social Presence and Media Richness; Social Space (Positive Group Behavior) and Sociability; Social Space (Positive Group Behavior) and Media Richness; and Sociability and Media Richness. A moderate, negative correlation was indicated between Social Space (Negative Group Behavior) and Social Presence; Social Space (Negative Group Behavior) and Sociability; and Social Space (Negative Group Behavior) and Media Richness.