Online presence is established by the instructors' online participation through emails, discussions, announcements, and feedback. More communication is needed in an online course to establish relationships.

It is important to remember different learning styles and to vary your delivery throughout the course to include all students. It is also good to make sure that your lecture has some form of visual, such as notes, for the students to follow along with. Do not "cold start" a lecture; make sure to have some form of chat or attention grabber before you begin-think about when you took a public speaking class and all the tips and tricks you learned there; they apply here.

Building a classroom relationship on day 1 is more important than diving into content. Students should walk away feeling like they know you well as an instructor and are comfortable with their classmates, hopefully even making some connections on the first day. 

Making sure your objectives and student expectations are clearly communicated. Students should know exactly what’s coming up in the course, when assignments are due, your expectations of them as a student, what they should take away from the class, and what they can expect from you as an instructor.

Learning, not teaching, should be the goal. If your current teaching style isn't promoting learning in your classroom, then it's time to adjust your method. Know your subject well and be enthusiastic about it. If you lack passion for your subject, how can students be motivated to engage? Building "friendships" with your students is helpful, but avoid crossing the line into being their "pal." Friends support and encourage each other, especially during struggles. It's important to be a source of motivation and encouragement for your students. Lastly, professional development can remind you and encourage you to stay up-to-date with the… >>>