Online Learners' Interactions and Social Anxiety: the Social Anxiety Scale for E-Learning Environments (Sase)

Abstract

Social sharing in virtual learning environments differs from real environments, resulting in a need for a specialized data collection tool related to social anxiety in these environments. This study seeks to develop a scale to identify the levels of social anxiety experienced in e-learning. The study group consists of 275 students who have previously experienced an online or a blended learning environment. The data were analyzed through exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, convergent and divergent validity tests. The interpersonal interactions of learners in online environments were considered in developing the tool. Two subscale forms were created to identify the levels of social anxiety in learner-learner interaction and learner-instructor interaction. Each subscale of the Social Anxiety Scale for E-Learning Environments (SASE) consists of 23 items and three subfactors. These sub-factors are called negative evaluation, somatic symptoms and avoidance of interaction. The analyses indicate that the SASE is a reliable and valid measurement tool useful for assessing the social anxiety levels of online learners.