Absence and presence

The chapter begins by examining absent presence, a term that originates in poststructuralist theory and is associated with Derrida, which is a feature of communication in the digital age. It then examines the issue of language in absence and presence, and the importance of the pragmeme. The second section of the chapter explores the impact of perceived absence on learning, suggesting that absence in digital spaces, particularly the notion of lurking, can be misunderstood. The final section of the chapter explores different notions of presence and the application of these to learning in digital spaces.