Instructor's Personal Touch
Instructor's can inviting demonstrate presence in the classroom by posting a short biography of their interest and hobbies. Students want to know that their instructors or humans and not machines. This is sure fire way to keep students actively present in the online environment.
Charolette Brown
I ask them specific, straightforward questions. I also respond in a way that is more approachable for them in the discussion board.
- Ty
Ty,
True, communication is very critical. What are some things that you do that build the clear line of communication with your students?
Herbert Brown III
You have to have a clear line of communication with students for them to be connected to the course.
William,
Your real world experience in your Bio also enhances your "presence" in the course by demonstrating to the students your expertise in the material. Students will typically respond in a more positive and respectful way to instructors that are clearly experts in their fields.
Herbert Brown III
When I posted my bio I included the 20 years that I worked in the field so that the students would understand that I was teaching from “Real World Applications†not just academics.
To me this is a challenging question.
I teach in a program that is one year only, and we have some of the same students for different classes.
For each class there should be a possible Forum post that serves as an ice breaker, for the student to get to know you on a different level. Possibly posting your credentials, but a fun creative question as well, so students can access you on a more personal level, and understand you are approachable.
Maybe a few creative questions per term that allow the students to stretch conceptually and allow some interactivity before the work begins...
I agree that a bio is essential at the start of a course. I put this in the announcement area and my phone number is there as well. Rather than a CV I post a narrative including my credentials, relevant experience, notes about my family and hobbies, and mention of military service. So many of our students are in the military that it means a lot to them to see fellow service experience. It also tells them my personal experience with VA along with civilian healthcare administrative and provider experience. BTW: I never answer personal health questions but stay with the course material exclusively.
I think a bio is a wonderful way to help establish a connection between the instructor and the students. Adding a little bit of info about personal hobbies is also helpful. For example, students enjoy hearing about the places I've traveled to.
Charolette,
I too like the personal touch. In addition to posting the bio as others have suggested, I like to weave tidbits into my annoucements or in student feedback. The student's seem to relate when I post that I had to deal with a teenager, a drama queen and a telemarketer before I could get online. Do you try other places besides the bio section?
Hi Charolette:
I have found posting a short biography about myself, helps students connect with me. I also have students post a short biography about themselves and I respond to each students biography. This is a way to start connecting with students. I also try to repond to each classmates discussion board as a way to them them know I am present and are engaged in what they have to say.
Leyann,
Just connecting with students on a personal level has worked for me. Having an introduction forum in each class where students can share about themselves, then students and I communicate responses and find ways to connect with similar hobbies and experiences. This is part of building a "community" of online learners. The stronger you can bond the community of learners the strong the experience for many of them. They really start to feel they are part of a group and not just an individual learner in a class.
Herbert Brown III
Charolette,
I agree with you, it important that students can identify with their virtual instructor. Its very important to be active with online education, and have some type of identity with the students. This is one of my concerns with online classes.
Leyann Vanderharten
