Date
4-2012
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Chair
Amanda Rockinson-Szapkiw
Primary Subject Area
Education, General; Education, Higher; Education, Sociology of; Education, Administration; Education, Technology; Psychology, Social; Information Science
Keywords
Community, Community of Practice, Computer-mediated communication, Connectedness, Distance Education, Loneliness
Disciplines
Communication Technology and New Media | Education | Educational Psychology | Instructional Media Design | Interpersonal and Small Group Communication | Social Psychology
Recommended Citation
Heuvelman-Hutchinson, Lorene, "The Effect Different Synchronous Computer Mediums Have on Distance Education Graduate Students' Sense of Community and Feelings of Loneliness" (2012). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 547.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/547
Abstract
Because distance education is such a rapidly developing educational venue, knowing what factors impact success must be known. Loneliness and sense of connectedness, or community, are issues facing graduate distance education students. These issues may influence retention. The theoretical framework of a Community of Practice assisted in understanding the development of community using computer-mediated communication (CMC) systems. The research questions answered included whether the type of synchronous CMC used (text- or video-based) could impact loneliness and community from a distance. An experimental design (randomized subjects, control group, posttest only) was used with distance education graduate students to address the research questions. Hypotheses were not supported. Qualitative analysis of open-ended questions found support for development of community.
Included in
Communication Technology and New Media Commons, Educational Psychology Commons, Instructional Media Design Commons, Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons, Social Psychology Commons
