IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bcp/journl/v9y2025issue-8p7643-7656.html

An Investigation of the Influence of Social Presence in Online Group Activity

Author

Listed:
  • Siti Nurul’Ain Hj Zaiton

    (Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Johor, Kampus Pasir Gudang)

  • Zahari Abu Bakar

    (Fakulti Kejuruteraan Elektrik, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Johor Kampus Pasir Gudang, 81750 Masai Johor)

  • Ahmad Khudzairi Khalid

    (Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Johor Kampus Pasir Gudang, 81750 Masai Johor, Malaysia)

  • Millaa-Armilla binti Asli

    (Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Sarawak, Kampus Kota Samarahan Sarawak)

  • Nurisya Mohd Shah

    (Dept. of Physcis, Faculty of Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia,43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia)

  • Lidya Ayuni Putri

    (Department of Management, University of Lampung, Jln. Prof. Soemantri Brojonegoro no. 1, rajabasa, Bandar Lampung, lampung, Indonesia, 35145)

Abstract

The impact of social, instructional, and cognitive presences on online group work engagement was examined in this study, along with the connections between these presences. A qualitative survey of three sections (8 items for Teaching Presence, 7 for Cognitive Presence, and 8 for Social Presence) using a 5-point Likert scale was used to gather data from 286 diploma and bachelor students. Results show that students have a generally good view of the teacher's role and that online group discussions encourage cooperation and open communication. Students eventually showed great cognitive engagement as the collaboration developed, despite initial challenges in initiating discussions and handling divergent opinions during online group work. Additionally, the study demonstrated the interdependence of instructional and cognitive presence by revealing moderately positive connections between social presence and both. These findings highlight the need for instructional strategies that encourage early group projects and use technology to foster thoughtful discussion in order to strengthen online collaborative learning.

Suggested Citation

  • Siti Nurul’Ain Hj Zaiton & Zahari Abu Bakar & Ahmad Khudzairi Khalid & Millaa-Armilla binti Asli & Nurisya Mohd Shah & Lidya Ayuni Putri, 2025. "An Investigation of the Influence of Social Presence in Online Group Activity," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(8), pages 7643-7656, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-8:p:7643-7656
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/Digital-Library/volume-9-issue-8/7643-7656.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/an-investigation-of-the-influence-of-social-presence-in-online-group-activity/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fernando Ferri & Patrizia Grifoni & Tiziana Guzzo, 2020. "Online Learning and Emergency Remote Teaching: Opportunities and Challenges in Emergency Situations," Societies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Yan Luo & Lin Sun, 2025. "The Effects of Social and Spatial Presence on Learning Engagement in Sustainable E-Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-19, May.
    3. Saleh Alhazbi & Mahmood A. Hasan, 2021. "The Role of Self-Regulation in Remote Emergency Learning: Comparing Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-12, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wei Mun Chin & Nor Aniza Ahmad & Ismi Arif Ismail & Siti Noormi Alias & Alia Sarah Asri, 2025. "A Serial Mediation Model on Trait Emotional Intelligence, Basic Psychological Needs, and Academic Motivation as Antecedents of Student Engagement," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(3), pages 21582440251, August.
    2. Dohyo Jeong & Dohyeong Kim & Heba Mohiuddin & Seokmin Kang & Sungyeun Kim, 2023. "Regional Disparity in the Educational Impact of COVID-19: A Spatial Difference-in-Difference Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Irdina Farzana Ahmad Shazli & Noor Hidayah Che Lah & Mashitoh Hashim & Ramlah Mailok & Aslina Saad & Suraya Hamid, 2023. "A Comprehensive Study of Students’ Challenges and Perceptions of Emergency Remote Education During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    4. Dwi Prasetyanto & Muhamad Rizki & Yos Sunitiyoso, 2022. "Online Learning Participation Intention after COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia: Do Students Still Make Trips for Online Class?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-18, February.
    5. Sangeeta Lal & Rahul Mourya, 2022. "For CS Educators, by CS Educators: An Exploratory Analysis of Issues and Recommendations for Online Teaching in Computer Science," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Mohamed Zine & Fouzi Harrou & Mohammed Terbeche & Mohammed Bellahcene & Abdelkader Dairi & Ying Sun, 2023. "E-Learning Readiness Assessment Using Machine Learning Methods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-22, June.
    7. Konrad Kulikowski & Sylwia Przytuła & Łukasz Sułkowski, 2021. "The Motivation of Academics in Remote Teaching during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Polish Universities—Opening the Debate on a New Equilibrium in e-Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-16, March.
    8. José M. Ramírez-Hurtado & Alfredo G. Hernández-Díaz & Ana D. López-Sánchez & Víctor E. Pérez-León, 2021. "Measuring Online Teaching Service Quality in Higher Education in the COVID-19 Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-14, March.
    9. Hülya Tuncer & Tuçe Öztürk Karataş, 2022. "Recommendations of ELT Students for Four Language Skills Development: A Study on Emergency Distance Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(1), pages 21582440221, March.
    10. Carlos Miguel Ferreira & Sandro Serpa, 2020. "COVID-19 and Social Sciences," Societies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-3, December.
    11. Tomasz Gajderowicz & Maciej Jakubowski & Sylwia Wrona & Ghadah Alkhadim, 2023. "Is students’ teamwork a dreamwork? A new DCE-based multidimensional approach to preferences towards group work," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
    12. Tiziana Guzzo & Fernando Ferri & Patrizia Grifoni, 2023. "Lessons Learned during COVID-19 and Future Perspectives for Emerging Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-15, July.
    13. Jelena R. Petrović & Ivko A. Nikolić & Uroš V. Šuvaković, 2025. "The Effect of Students’ Material Status and Zoom Fatigue on Their Perception of Emergency Remote Teaching Satisfaction and Remote Teaching Sustainability from the Perspective of Education Faculty Students in Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-26, October.
    14. Tiziana Guzzo & Maria Chiara Caschera & Fernando Ferri & Patrizia Grifoni, 2023. "Analysis of the Digital Educational Scenario in Italian High Schools during the Pandemic: Challenges and Emerging Tools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-16, January.
    15. Mariana Cernicova-Buca & Gabriel-Mugurel Dragomir, 2022. "Making Sense of the Emergency Remote Education. Faculty and Students' Takeaway Lessons from the Pandemic Classroom," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 38(1), pages 160-169, December.
    16. Xiaodan Jin & Eunhye Kim & Kyung-chul Kim, 2024. "RETRACTED ARTICLE: Transforming Early Childhood Education: the Nuri Curriculum Reform in South Korea," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(3), pages 12337-12360, September.
    17. Nur Faezah Jamal & Nurhasniza Idham Abu Hasan & Nor Mariyah Abdul Ghafar, 2023. "Students’ Perception Regarding Mode of Learning in the Post COVID-19," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(8), pages 1033-1042, August.
    18. Armah, Abdul Karim & Li, Jinfa & Wei, Mengdi, 2025. "Effect of infrastructure and technological factors on slum online commerce and product delivery: A structural functionalism perspective," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    19. Wadim Strielkowski & Veronika Grebennikova & Alexander Lisovskiy & Guzalbegim Rakhimova & Tatiana Vasileva, 2025. "AI‐driven adaptive learning for sustainable educational transformation," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 1921-1947, April.
    20. Mihaela Minciu & Cristina Veith & Razvan Catalin Dobrea & Carmen Nadia Ciocoiu, 2025. "The Challenges of the VUCA World and the Education System: The Need for Change to Ensure Sustainable Learning Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-18, July.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:issue-8:p:7643-7656. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Dr. Pawan Verma (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.