The Relationship Between Social Presence and Learning Satisfaction in Videoconferencing Problem‐Based Learning / 의학교육논단

ABSTRACT

Despite current regulations requiring social distancing due to coronavirus disease 2019, problem-based learning (PBL) requires student interaction to achieve common goals and enhance critical thinking and deep learning abilities. Social presence in the online education environment reduces both perceptions of physical distance and psychological distance in interactions. This study aimed to compare PBL activities between in-person and videoconferencing classes, and to investigate social presence and learning satisfaction in a videoconferencing PBL environment. The PBL consisted of six modules for both the first and second years of Chonnam National University Medical School. As social distancing was strengthened, the second class of the fifth module in both years was converted to an online format and the fifth module was excluded. The first four PBL modules were conducted as in-person classes, but the last PBL module was administered via videoconferencing. After the final PBL module, 100 (81.3%) first-year medical students and 90 (79.6%) second-year students were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire on social presence and learning satisfaction. There were no significant differences in the small group activities of tutorial sessions between in-person and videoconferencing classes. In the online videoconferencing class, students who had favorable attitudes toward the tutors’ social role and interactions with peers showed high satisfaction with their learning. In conclusion, online videoconferencing allows students to simultaneously perceive their interactions with others and social presence, even at a distance. Tutors can enhance a sense of online community and collaborative learning as facilitators of online PBL.