Emotional Presence and Mobile Learning: Learner-driven Responses in a Wireless World
Martha Cleveland-Innes, Mohamed Ally, Norine Wark, Athabasca University, Tak Fung, University of Calgary, Canada
Abstract
This study examines the use of mobile devices among online graduate students, and what effect, if any, this use has on emotional presence. We suggest that emotion exists as part of the online experience, just as it does in all human experience. The intensity of graduate study and the benefit of increased interaction through online communities may be a catalyst for both increased use of mobile communication devices to support learning and a stimulus for emotion. Results demonstrate that half the online graduate students in this study use mobile devices in support of their learning. Emotional presence does exist for online graduate students but it is not influenced by mobile device use. There is a significant gender difference in the measurement of emotional presence.
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