I enjoyed reading this section of the training. It is fascinating how when things are worded appropriately the whole conversation seems inviting and engaging so students are always encouraged. I plan on practicing these strategies in drafting sample email messages to varous scenarios so I can go back and reference when needed.

I appreciate the section that covered social presence classrooms. I continue to maintain a strong social presence in my classroom through communicating regularly with my students through synchronous zoom meetings, recorded videos, weekly announcements, daily feedback, and student office hours. Students understand my commitment to their success, feel comfortable meeting and know that I care about their wellbeing.

I appreciated the section on the core competencies of learners and the explanation for each one. It is not good to make assumptions about students in terms of any of those factors that were listed. Instead, instructors should use surveys and learn about the strengths and struggles of each student to tailor the classroom accordingly.

I learned that building relationships with students and providing multiple means of communication help students engage with the course and do better overall. I make sure to provide my students various ways of communicating with me through text, phone, email or zoom meetings. I leave it up to them to choose their preferred method of communication as long as they feel comfortable. I also ensure to communicate with my class weekly through general announcements, personal reminders and cuztomized feedback. Communication is really a great approach to retain students.