Discord connects: Fostering social presence in higher education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v30i3.4974

Keywords:

Social Presence, Online Learning, Discord, Learning Management Systems, Student Engagement, Community of Inquiry, Educational Technology, Blended Learning, Higher Education, Digital Communication

Abstract

Student engagement in online and blended learning environments depends on fostering social presence, yet institutional communication tools often fail to support the informal and dynamic interactions that build a sense of community. While Learning Management System discussion boards provide structured communication, students increasingly turn to external platforms such as Discord, which may offer more effective opportunities for collaboration and engagement. Despite growing interest in student-led communication tools, research comparing their effectiveness with institutional platforms remains limited. This study examines the role of Discord in fostering social presence in a first-year university game design course over six years, comparing its use from 2018 to 2022 with Canvas Discussions in 2023. A longitudinal content analysis of online interactions was conducted to investigate student engagement and the presence of social indicators across both platforms, with illustrative examples included to demonstrate how these indicators manifested in practice. Findings indicated that students posted more frequently and demonstrated significantly higher indicators of social presence when using Discord, whereas student posts on Learning Management System discussion boards showed limited to no indicators of social presence. The analysis also revealed how the nature of social presence shifted over time, shaped by platform features and influenced by external factors such as the pandemic. These results suggest that informal, student-oriented communication platforms may be more effective than institutionally controlled Learning Management System discussion boards in promoting interaction and community building in online learning. The study contributes to discussions on digital pedagogy by highlighting the role of platform selection in shaping student engagement and social presence in higher education.

Author Biographies

Colleen Stieler-Hunt, University of the Sunshine Coast

Dr Colleen Stieler-Hunt is a lecturer and researcher at the University of the Sunshine Coast, specialising in game design, game development, and game-based learning. She is also a dedicated award-winning educator, mentoring students in game design and production while emphasising the importance of player-centred design.

Margaret Marshman, University of the Sunshine Coast

Dr Margaret Marshman is the Discipline Lead, Postgraduate and HDR Education and Secondary and Outdoor Education for the School of Education and Tertiary Access at the University of Sunshine Coast. She is a mathematics and science educator and researcher in both preservice and in-service mathematics teacher education. Margaret’s research focuses on peoples’ beliefs about mathematics, its teaching and learning, including mathematics teacher educators and how their beliefs influence mathematics pre-service teachers. She also researches how to support pre-service teachers to engage their students with real world problems, and statistical thinking.

Sandra Elsom, University of the Sunshine Coast

Sandra "Sandie" Elsom is a Lecturer in Technology Education at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Her research focuses on using game-based learning to enhance higher education. Sandie is passionate about supporting students, helping them develop foundational skills in areas like ICT, academic writing, and critical thinking. She also advocates for integrating artificial intelligence into education and has designed professional development workshops for educators.

Joel Bennett

Dr Joel Bennett is a Lecturer of Digital Media in the Faculty of Arts and Design at University of Canberra (UC) with a teaching and research focus in Media Production and Game Development. With over a decade of experience in higher education, Joel has delivered and led a wide array of undergraduate programs including Game Design, Digital Media, Animation, and Visual Communication. In these programs Joel has advocated for authentic and transformative learning experiences using innovative simulated work environments, overseas study tours, advanced practical workshops, 24hr digital design challenges, and the continued adoption of emerging production technology.

Alexander Muscat, University of the Sunshine Coast

Dr Alexander Muscat is a Lecturer in Games at University of the Sunshine Coast. His research investigates game-making practices, production processes, design theory, and player experience, and includes an experimental, practice-based focus. His work has been disseminated at scholarly, arts, and industry venues including CHI Play, DiGRA, A MAZE, and Games Connect Asia Pacific.

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Published

2026-09-01

How to Cite

Stieler-Hunt, C., Marshman, M., Elsom, S., Bennett, J., Muscat, A., & Hargraves, C. (2026). Discord connects: Fostering social presence in higher education. Online Learning, 30(3), 532–560. https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v30i3.4974

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 3 (2026): Online Learning

Section

Section II

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Copyright (c) 2026 Colleen Stieler-Hunt, Margaret Marshman, Sandra Elsom, Joel Bennett, Alexander Muscat, Craig Hargraves

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