A Comparison of Virtual Communication Software on Perceived Engagement, Enjoyment, Social Connectedness, and Willingness to Communicate in a Virtual Undergraduate Classroom

Abstract

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many in-person classes shifted to emergency remote learning, with Zoom being the adopted software choice of communication for many schools. Despite its accessibility, students have expressed fatigue and challenges with conversations using Zoom. Additionally, emergency remote learning has led to decreased interpersonal interactions. Thus, we wondered whether Gather.town, a teleconferencing software with proximity-chat features, might lead to a more positive learning environment than Zoom. We utilized both software in an inquiry and problem-based course, Science of Fictional Characters, at McMaster University during the Fall 2021 semester. We surveyed students’ preference between Gather.town and Zoom across five different domains: engagement, enjoyment, social connectedness, ease of use, and willingness to communicate using each software. Twelve out of 30 enrolled students responded to the survey. Participants reported more engagement (58%), higher enjoyment (58%), and greater social connectedness (92%) to their peers using Gather.town compared to Zoom, despite participants also reporting Zoom being easier to use (92%). The results further revealed no preference towards either software in terms of willingness to communicate. Although our sample size is small, our results nonetheless suggest a software with proximity chat features such as Gather.town could be a potential alternative to Zoom for fostering positive learning environments.