Social Presence and Satisfaction in Asynchronous Text-Based Communications in Online Nursing Education: A Comparison With Synchronous Video Communications.

ABSTRACT: Asynchronous online nursing education has been associated with poor levels of student interaction. This study investigated perceived social presence, a construct used to understand online interactions, and satisfaction during asynchronous text-based communications with a sample of 33 first-year and second-year nursing students. Participants were also experiencing synchronous video communications for their online education. Although social presence in asynchronous text-based communications correlated positively with satisfaction, most students identified a higher degree of social presence and satisfaction with video communications. Consideration of social presence within online education using synchronous video communications is thus recommended.