Exploration of student’s social presence in a web-based discussion for conceptual learning of organic chemistry

Abstract The current paper reports social presence in web-based discussion for their conceptual learning of organic chemistry class. The study examined students-students, students-instructor, and students-leaning materials interactions via the designed web-based discussion. We developed an online forum nicknamed” Universal Chemistry Network to enhance communication among students and teachers in organic chemistry class. A sample of 138 senior five students was purposively selected from two secondary schools located in Kicukiro district, Eastern province in Rwanda. A questionnaire composed of multiple-choice and open-ended questions was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and interpretive analysis were used to analyze data. The results revealed that the use of web-based discussion is the potential and effective teaching method for enhancing students' -student’s and student’s- teacher’s interaction in organic chemistry class also students appreciated this teaching and learning method as it helped them to search for additional information, exchange their ideas, knowledge, and experiences. A web-based discussion was also found to provide the students with the potential confidence and motivation to express freely their ideas. The challenges faced by students during web-based discussion while learning organic chemistry were also examined