Utilising synchronous web-mediated communications as a booster to sense of community in a hybrid on-campus/off-campus teaching and learning environment.

Abstract

This paper examines the enabling effect of using synchronous internet mediated communication technologies to develop a Sense of Community (SOC) in a group of post graduate students consisting of a mix of on-campus and off campus students. The SOC is seen as an important constituent of a community of learners. An instrument was developed to measure SOC and the underlying dimensions of community identity, learning discourse and emotion. It is argued that a similar SOC is experienced by the on campus group and off campus group as a result of the synchronous events. It is further argued that both these groups developed a greater SOC than the control group.