Advancing human connection in digital learning

Welcome to the Social Presence Literacy Lab (SPL²), where we are dedicated to empowering educators with the knowledge and skills to create engaging and impactful online learning experiences. Our lab is at the forefront of research and innovation in social presence, exploring how technology-mediated interactions can foster meaningful connections and enhance student engagement in virtual classrooms. Whether you're an experienced educator seeking to refine your online teaching strategies or a newcomer eager to learn more about the latest advancements in online pedagogy, we invite you to explore our programs, resources, and research initiatives. Join us on this journey to harness the power of social presence and transform the landscape of online education.

The Social Presence Literacy Lab (SPL²) aims to enhance faculty members' knowledge, application, and evaluation of social presence within the online learning environment. Social presence, as defined by Short, Williams, and Christie (1976), Anderson et al. (2001), and Whiteside (2017), is crucial for fostering a sense of connectedness and promoting active engagement in the virtual classroom

In an era where AI is rapidly transforming the educational landscape, one thing remains constant: good teaching is inherently social. While AI offers new tools and possibilities, it does not replace the fundamental elements that define effective education.

As AI continues to evolve, the human element in education becomes even more crucial. Social presence helps you build the relationships and trust that are at the heart of effective teaching. It’s not just about keeping up with technology; it’s about using your unique human skills to create learning experiences that AI can’t replicate.

Join us at SPL² to explore how you can harness the power of social presence to elevate your teaching and make a lasting impact on your students.

The goals of the Social Presence Literacy Lab are to:

Advance Human-Centered Teaching in Digital Learning

We aim to help educators design learning environments that prioritize connection, belonging, and human development. As technology continues to reshape education, we focus on what remains uniquely human in teaching: cultivating presence, fostering dialogue, and supporting the formation and flourishing of learners.

Develop Social Presence as a Teachable Literacy

We approach social presence not as an abstract concept, but as a skill that can be practiced, refined, and embedded into teaching. Through practical frameworks, tools, and classroom-ready resources, we equip faculty to intentionally cultivate meaningful interaction and relational learning in online environments.

Design and Share Scalable Practices for Presence

The lab develops and curates resources that faculty can directly implement in their courses, including structured prompts, community-building strategies, and presence-centered interventions. Our goal is to make human-centered teaching both accessible and sustainable across diverse learning contexts.

Foster Inquiry Through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)

We engage in the systematic study of teaching and learning, exploring how presence influences student experience, engagement, and development. Through research, reflection, and collaboration, we contribute to a growing body of knowledge on human-centered digital pedagogy.

Cultivate Faculty as Designers of Learning Environments

We support faculty in moving beyond content delivery toward intentional course design that shapes how students experience learning. This includes creating environments that invite participation, encourage dialogue, and support students as thinkers, contributors, and members of a learning community.

Build a Community Around Presence

We seek to connect educators who are committed to human-centered teaching. Through collaboration, shared practice, and ongoing dialogue, we aim to create a community that values presence as foundational to meaningful learning.

Social Presence Literacy Lab (SPL²) — Advancing human connection in digital learning.
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