ERIC Number: EJ1469543
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0260-1370
EISSN: EISSN-1464-519X
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Adult Educators' Practices to Promote and Facilitate Social Connectedness in Online Learning Sessions
International Journal of Lifelong Education, v44 n2 p168-185 2025
Online education is now a common mode of delivery to support continuous education and training for adults. A range of technological platforms and processes have evolved to make online learning more engaging and effective, notably since the pandemic. Notwithstanding the widespread adoption of online education, research shows that many adult learners still experience feelings of social isolation in the online learning space. This calls for educators to incorporate practices to facilitate social connectedness to improve adults' overall learning experiences. Social connectedness encompasses concepts such as connectedness, belongingness, relatedness, intersubjectivity and psychological safety. These provide a framework to guide social connectedness within online learning. The study reported here investigated adult educators' practices for social connectedness when delivering online learning to adults who engage in continuing education and training in Singapore. Data was gathered through 10 in-depth interviews with experienced adult educators. Some learning activities and artefacts they used during online classes were analysed for connectedness, belongingness, relatedness, intersubjectivity and psychological safety. The analysis indicated psychological safety as an important element for social connectedness. The findings inform the design of a six-step guide for adult educators to boost social connectedness in their online provisions. This exploratory research contributes to ongoing efforts to improve the quality of online learning by enhancing social connectedness.
Descriptors: Adult Education, Adult Educators, Electronic Learning, Interpersonal Competence, Interpersonal Relationship, Teaching Methods, Educational Practices, Learning Activities, Online Courses, Sense of Belonging, Psychological Patterns, Safety, Curriculum Development, Skill Development
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia