InInstructor Social Presence: An Essential Tool for Online Student Engagement and Persistence in Higher Education, Catheryn Reardon argues that the social presence of the instructor plays a critical role in online student engagement and persistence in higher education. Although the results presented in this study were inconclusive, the findings revealed some important areas for future research including the role that empathy plays in a virtual environment. Strategies are identified so instructors can appear more empathetic and accessible to their students online. Innovative technologies are also explored as the author challenges where the future of online education is headed and how that may impact the instructor and students of tomorrow.

Catheryn Reardon is adjunct professor at Georgia Military College, Southern New Hampshire University, and California Baptist University.

List of Tables

Preface: The Surge of Online Learning During the Pandemic

Introduction: A Brief History of Online Learning

Chapter One: Review of the Literature and Developing the Study

Chapter Two: Instructor Social Presence and Empathy in the Online Classroom

Chapter Three: The Quantitative View; What was Revealed and What was Not

Chapter Four: Instructor Social Presence as a Tool for Student Engagement and Persistence

Chapter Five: Best Practices in Online Teaching

Chapter Six: Conclusion and Areas for Future Research

Chapter Seven: Being Human in the Age of Digital Learning and Beyond

References

About the Author