I learned techniques to be able to make connection with on line learner such as have them create a bio and I send them a bio as well.
The main thing is to try to connect to the students, seeing where they are coming from and what they want to learn to start a base learning level for them.
I learner that interaction with students.
Establishing authority and student/instuctor relationships.
It only makes logical sense to have the students know you and you know them, although I think some students may not want to post a biography of themselves to the entire class, just to the instructor might be best.
Get to know students backgrounds and make sure they know my experience
Being responsive to students
I need to let my students know about myself so that they develop a sense of trust. Also, that I need to know more about them.
I learned tips on how to engage and establish relationships with my students. This can be done through messages and discussion board posts.
Adding a required student biography will help my self and the other students create a better understanding of everyone.
One thing I found interesting was the creation of the relationship. In the classroom, students can see you, interact, and it is done in real time, but online students might (at least on some level) see themselves as the only ones in the class. Where they would be more understanding of you taking a moment or two to help someone in the physical class, it might seem like longer in the online environment. Creating that relationship can help them to know they aren't being ignored in those instances.
The instructor should provide a welcome letter with a short biography, this gives the students confidence that the instructor is knowledgeable in the subject matter.
Even though you are distant from your students you can still use tools like online bios, video bios, etc, to establish that connection with your students and begin the process of engaging them into your classroom.
The instructor must project an online presence in the course and authority in the subject area.
I learned how important it is to make youself available to your students and in turn get to know them even though they are online. My school is on MS Teams for online classes and we get to have that connection through video, and everyone seems to really like it.
Students like to share specific information about themselves to help them feel part of the process of learning.
It is important to make your presence known in the online classroom. This lets students know that you are as invested in them as they are in the course. Providing timely feedback and answers assures students that you are therer. Provide office hours for live conversation and other communications. Post bios of yourself and allow student to do so so that everyone gets to know each other and forms a bond.
Establishing authority by conveying to the students the depth of my experience is important. I have also found that most students dont care how much you know untill they know how much you care.
I enjoyed the "Projecting Your Authority" section. It will be great to add this information into our Online Faculty Onboarding procedures.
Do your homework to understand who your students are. Present yourself well, give a brief summary of your experience
