Learning through the Lounge: Using Social Presence to assess the learning environment in a MyLinE online forum

Online discussion forums and computer conferencing play an ever increasing role in language learning in universities, especially as the high levels of student to student interaction promoted in such forums is consistent with the more communicative ideals of tertiary education. Examples of these forums can be found in the Lounge which is housed in MyLinE, an English language learning portal for students of public universities in Malaysia. These forums provide students with a platform, enabling them to come together to share thoughts and ideas and learn from each other. This development of knowledge is a main feature of the Community of Inquiry Model and is said to occur through the interaction of cognitive, teaching, and social presence. This paper focuses on social presence, examining affective, interactive and cohesive responses as well as calculating the Social Presence Density within the forums in MyLinE, to assess whether the environment within these online forums is one in which deep and meaningful learning is likely to take place.